Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes is a level 3 fitness trainer, level 2 reiki practitioner, and senior fitness writer 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, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight and calisthenics, and kettlebells. She also coaches mobility and stretching-focused classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body. Sam is currently in training for her next mixed doubles Hyrox competition in London this year, having completed her first doubles attempt in 1:11.
In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, 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 fitness technology and wearables, anything yoga and CrossFit-related, and has a keen interest in nutrition, sleep, and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes
Forget the gym — this 20-minute walking workout builds full-body strength and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
A walking workout could build lower body strength and boost your metabolism without weights. Here's how to do it, and the benefits of walking.
No planks? Try the ‘stir the pot’ abs exercise instead to strengthen your core and shoulders
By Sam Hopes last updated
If you can't do planks, try the "stir the pot" stability ball plank exercise and watch your core strength and stability transform.
I did 70 decline push-ups every day for a week — here’s what happened to my upper body
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer shares her experience performing 70 decline push-ups every day for one week in this push-up challenge, and here are the results.
Pilates instructor shares 3 favorite moves for strengthening your back and boosting posture — and 3 common mistakes
By Sam Hopes last updated
A Pilates instructor shares three Pilates exercises to build a stronger back without weights. Here's how to do them, the benefits and why we love them.
Personal trainer shares one simple exercise to strengthen your hips, build core stability and improve the L-sit
By Sam Hopes published
The leg lift exercise strengthens the hip flexors, builds core stability and activates the gluteus medius muscles. A personal trainer reveals one simple trick to boost hip mobility.
Under Armour Prime Day sale 2024 — 16 deals you can still snag on apparel and sneakers from just $8
By Sam Hopes last updated
These deals on Under Armour fitness apparel could save you big money on Amazon Prime Day.
I'm a personal trainer — these are the 5 Prime Day gym bag deals I'd actually buy right now starting at $17
By Sam Hopes published
The best gym bags don't have to cost a fortune. Save big on your favorite brands during the Prime Day sales with these deals on Under Armour, Nike and more.
I’m a personal trainer — this 5-move bodyweight workout builds stronger abs and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
Personal trainer shares a five-move bodyweight workout to build stronger abs and boost your metabolism without weights.
Amazon Prime Day New Balance deals — 9 sneaker and apparel deals I'd buy right now up to 40% off
By Sam Hopes published
Save big money on your favorite New Balance sneakers and apparel for Amazon Prime Day.
Amazon’s best-selling Under Armour workout t-shirt slashed by over 50% during Prime Day
By Sam Hopes last updated
The Under Armour Tech 2.0 short-sleeve T-shirt price slashed to just $10 with this Prime Day deal.
Lululemon's 'We Made Too Much' section has activewear from $19 — 12 items I'd buy that beat Prime Day sales
By Sam Hopes last updated
The latest Lululemon "We Made Too Much" section offers huge discounts on your favorite activewear from as little as $19.
Quick! Amazon just slashed 66% off my favorite Columbia insulated jacket during Prime Day
By Sam Hopes last updated
The Columbia Powder Lite jacket is just $55 during Amazon Prime Day sales with this limited-time deal. Here's how to shop.
I did dead hangs every day for a week — here's what I learned about my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
The dead hang is a bodyweight exercise that stretches and strengthens your upper body, develops spinal and shoulder flexibility and improves posture.
Forget deadlifts — this back extension strengthens your back, glutes and hamstrings without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
Bodyweight back extensions are one of the best compound exercises for strengthening your posterior chain muscles. Here's how to do them, according to a personal trainer.
No, not stretching — reduce upper body tension and build mobility with this 10-minute foam rolling routine
By Sam Hopes last updated
Foam rolling reduces stiffness and relieves tension. This 10-minute routine focuses on relieving upper body tightness and can be done anywhere.
Forget weights, this 30-minute Pilates workout for beginners strengthens your abs and hips
By Sam Hopes last updated
This bodyweight Pilates workout for beginners builds a stronger core and hips without weights and only takes 30 minutes.
Oura Ring 4 — price, release date, features and more
By James Frew last updated
You can buy the Oura Ring 4 right now and it comes with a new design, better battery life, and improved accuracy.
Oura Ring 4 is finally here — 3 things I'm relieved Oura is doing better this time
By Sam Hopes published
Oura has improved the design, durability and accuracy of the Oura Ring 4. Here's what you can expect from the next-generation smart ring.
No, not planks — try this deadbug variation instead and watch your core strength transform
By Sam Hopes published
Deadbugs are a bodyweight core exercise that strengthens your abs and deeper core muscles without hurting your lower back. Here's how to do them and the benefits.
Forget frog pose — these 3 mobility exercises unlock tight hips and release tension in your glutes and lower back
By Sam Hopes last updated
These 3 mobility exercises unlock your hips and build lower body flexibility in less than 15 minutes, according to a personal trainer.
You don’t need the gym to strengthen and sculpt your entire body — try this 3-move kettlebell complex instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build full-body strength and boost core power using a personal trainer's three-move kettlebell complex. Here's how to do it and the benefits.
Ditch planks — this 15-minute abs workout builds core strength with 6 moves and a resistance band
By Sam Hopes published
This 15-minute abs workout by Anabolic Aliens builds core strength using six exercises and a resistance band. Here's how to do it.
Personal trainer shares one bodyweight exercise you need to boost upper body mobility and loosen your shoulders
By Sam Hopes last updated
The side-lying internal rotation exercise relieves tight shoulders and improves range of motion. Here's how to do it, and the benefits of stretching the shoulders.
Forget regular kettlebell swings — this resistance band alternative builds full-body strength and power
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer explains how to do banded kettlebell swings, the benefits, muscles worked and why the resistance band variation is effective for strength and conditioning.
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