
Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and a fitness editor at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course. Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future, such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3.
Having worked with fitness studios like F45 and Virgin Active and personal trained, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, calisthenics and kettlebells. She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body.
Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.
In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, hot yoga, and running and can be found perfecting her handstand walks and handstand push-ups in the gym whenever she has the chance to be upside down. At work, she can be found testing the latest in fitness technology and wearables, anything yoga and CrossFit-related and has a keen interest in nutrition, sleep and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes

I work out for a living — the only sneaker I'll ever lift weights in just crashed in price for Prime Day
By Sam Hopes published
The Reebok Nano X5 is one of the best cross training shoes for weightlifters, and you can save $45 or more when you shop this Amazon Prime Day deal.

Hurry! I test gym shoes for a living, and my favorite Reebok Nano sneaker just hit its lowest price for Prime Day
By Sam Hopes published
The Reebok Nano Gym is from the reputable Reebok Nano sneaker range, and made it into our guide for best cross training shoes, with its lowest ever price drop available right now at Amazon.

I teach weightlifting for a living — this is the 5-move mobility routine I teach for unlocking tight hips at any age
By Sam Hopes last updated
These are four of the best hip mobility exercises you can do to improve hip health in your 20s, 30s and beyond.

A psychiatrist says this one thing about your heart rate could be the secret to living longer — and it might trump your step count
By Sam Hopes last updated
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) means the intervals between your heartbeats, and could tell you a lot about your longevity and cardiovascular fitness, according to a psychiatrist.

I raced my last Hyrox in the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 — and it's crashed into the Prime Day sales at 20% off
By Sam Hopes published
The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 running shoe is perfect for grip, speed work and stability, making it the perfect cross training shoe if you like Hyrox and want to pick up a steal this Amazon Prime Day.

'You can't tone muscle you haven't built' — I'm a personal trainer, and here's why I choose weightlifting before Pilates
By Sam Hopes published
Personal trainer explains why she believes you should lift weights to grow muscle rather than rely on low-impact methods like Pilates and yoga.

I run 10Ks in these Asics running shoes and they just crashed to $99 ahead of Prime Day
By Sam Hopes published
The Asics Gel Nimbus 25 is super cushioned and lightweight, and I still run my 10Ks in them despite the 26 and 27 releases, so this $99 deal is a steal.

I teach weightlifting for a living — 3 kettlebell moves to unlock strength, power and muscle endurance for beginners
By Sam Hopes published
Three kettlebell exercises to build strength, power and muscle endurance for beginners who are still building their confidence with weights, according to a personal trainer.

Forget running or 'Jeffing' — neuroscientist says this is the secret to longevity and hitting 150 minutes of cardio per week
By Sam Hopes published
You don't need running or 'Jeffing' to get fitter, as neuroscientist Andrew Huberman claims the real secret to longevity is hitting 150 minutes of Zone 2 cardio a week instead.

Celebrities are eating sea moss to boost their health and prevent aging — I tried a tablespoon every day, and this is what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
Celebrities are obsessed with sea moss, but what are the benefits? This is what happened when I consumed sea moss gel every day to boost skin, immunity and gut health.

Google Gemini built me a 5-move dumbbell workout to grow muscle and strengthen my core — here's how it did
By Sam Hopes last updated
One personal trainer asked Google Gemini to build a five-move dumbbell program for strength and muscle, and here's what happened.

I'm a personal trainer and train with weightlifting beginners — these are the 3 kettlebell exercises I always teach them
By Sam Hopes last updated
It only takes 15 minutes

I'm a personal trainer, and this one-minute shoulder exercise is the hack I use to unlock mobility and reduce stiffness
By Sam Hopes last updated
Improve mobility and range of motion in your shoulders using this hack from a personal trainer. It only takes a few minutes per shoulder to do.

No gym? This 3-move bodyweight workout builds full-body strength and sculpts your core
By Sam Hopes last updated
Three moves and just your bodyweight to build full-body strength, balance and stability without weights. Here's how.

I'm a personal trainer — if I were shopping the early Prime Day sales, these are the 3 pairs of gym shoes I'd buy
By Sam Hopes last updated
Here are the best discounted gym shoes I recommend shopping in the early Prime Day sales.

I drank 2 tablespoons of olive oil every day for 30 days — here's what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
What does drinking extra virgin olive oil every day do to your body? We tested it out for 30 days to see what, if any, benefits exist.

Hurry — the Oura Ring Gen 3 slashed to just $199 in rare early Prime Day deal
By Sam Hopes published
The original Oura Ring Generation 3 is currently on sale for just $199 with this pre-Prime Day deal, and it's the perfect time to invest in your sleep and wellness tracking.

No, not push-ups — try the ‘steering wheel’ exercise to strengthen your upper body instead
By Sam Hopes published
Personal trainer shares the benefits of the "steering wheel" exercise, and why she loves it for building strength and endurance in your shoulders and upper body.

I teach weightlifting for a living — 3 moves build full-body muscle and crush your core in just 15 minutes
By Sam Hopes published
Personal trainer reveals a three-move workout you can do to build full-body strength and endurance and sculpt a bulletproof core.

You don't need planks to strengthen your deep core muscles — try the 'tuck crunch' bodyweight exercise instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer shares the "tuck crunch" exercise as an alternative to planks if you want to build a strong and stable core while remaining low impact on joints.

The best kettlebells for weightlifting: I'm a personal trainer and these are my 9 picks
By Sam Hopes last updated
The best kettlebells for strength and conditioning, weightlifting, and home workouts, including Onnit, Primal and Amazon. Plus, the best kettlebells for CrossFit and competition.

I'm a personal trainer who loves yoga — these are the 3 moves I stole to build stronger abs and upper body muscles
By Sam Hopes last updated
This short routine builds upper-body and core strength and mobility using three yoga poses and zero equipment.

Slash your biological age by up to 16 years by doing this one thing during your daily walk — new study says
By Sam Hopes published
A study found that brisk walking could boost life expectancy more than slow walking, regardless of distance or length of time spent walking. Here's everything you need to know.

Forget regular walks or 10,000 steps — use this 'walking yoga' workout to build strength and flexibility
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer shares a walking yoga workout you can use to build strength, stability and flexibility and supercharge your metabolism without completing 10,000 steps.
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