Latest articles by Sam Hopes
No, not planks — I swapped them for Pilates push-ups, and my core and arms feel strong and stable
Our writer swapped other upper-body exercises for the Pilates push-up, which combines a standing spine roll with an inchworm, plank and push-up, and has plenty of benefits for the body.
What's the best exercise bike? I'm a fitness expert and these are my top picks
review The best exercise bikes for home workouts based on our in-house testing
We've spent years testing the best massage guns — these are the 3 to buy
Review We've tested the best massage guns to boost recovery and reduce muscle soreness and picked our top three choices, plus recovery alternatives if you want to try something else.
Forget six-pack abs — I'm a personal trainer, and here are 4 reasons they’re hard to build (and don't matter)
Six-pack muscles are a result of a low body fat percentage and the development of abdominal muscles, but they don't reveal much about someone's overall health.
Forget forgetting — the ‘Roman Room' memory method could help you stay mentally sharp as you age
The 'Roman Room' memory method could help you recall information better by associating words or images with objects within rooms. Here's how it works.
No, not sit-ups — strength and conditioning coach says ‘this is the best abs exercise you’re probably not doing’
Strength and conditioning coach shares his favorite abs exercise that many people skip, and it could improve strength, activation, control and coordination.
Who needs running? These 5 compound exercises burn fat and build muscle after 50
A personal trainer reveals five compound exercises you can do to help boost your metabolism and build muscle if you're struggling to burn fat after 50.
I’m one of the first people to train in the Nike Metcon 10 — here’s why Nike’s (finally) back in the game
Nike and WIT collaborated on the Nike Metcon 10 launch in August 2025, and we got a first look and some hands-on testing at The Nike Training Labs; here's our verdict.
Forget running and cycling, a doctor says this unlikely sport could boost cardio during menopause
This unlikely sport may be the key to improving fitness in menopausal women, says doctor.
Cortisol cocktails are trending, so I tried them — here's everything you need to know
Cortisol cocktails are on trend, but do they work? We put them to the test to see what, if any, health benefits exist.
My dad is 72, and these are the 3 strengthening exercises I use to build his strong core and improve balance
Personal trainer shares the three exercises she taught her dad to build a strong core, increase balance and reduce injury.
Study says this is the real reason you're not seeing workout results — and it's not 10,000 steps
Stress could be the reason you're not seeing results from your workouts, according to Welltech, which looked at search data in the UK.
New study says this is the exercise you should do during pregnancy to boost energy and mood — and it's not jogging
New research shows you can build strength and muscle, boost mood and energy, and reduce pain and fatigue by strength training two to three times per week; here's what we know.
If you want to lose fat — I'm a personal trainer, and this is why body fat percentage and mass matter
Experts in health and fitness explain the difference between body fat mass and body fat percentage, and which is the most important for your health.
I'm a personal trainer, and this coach's 4-way stretch could relieve your tight ankles and boost lower-body mobility
"Try this 4-way ankle stretch!" — expert coach says this move could fix weak ankles and boost mobility as you age.
Expert mobility coach shares the 4 tricks he uses with his mom to boost longevity and reverse aging
Mobility coach shares four ways to increase longevity as you age using exercise with or without equipment.
I've been teaching weightlifting for years — drop the weights and try the gymnastics plank to build stronger abs
I've been teaching weightlifting for years, and this is one of the most effective core-strengthening exercises to do without weights.
Hot vs cold: which is better for muscle recovery? New study says this is the answer
A new study says hot water immersion could be more effective than cold water immersion for muscle recovery and perceived pain; here's what the research found.
Your stiff shoulders could be holding you back — here's how to instantly relieve tightness in just 2 minutes
Shoulder dislocations relieve tight shoulders, improve upper-body mobility, and build strength and stability; you can feel the benefits in just a few minutes.
Forget running — new study shows this exercise can burn body fat as much as cardio
Resistance training could burn fat similarly to cardio, and combining the two on the same or different days won't impede your fat loss efforts, says a 2025 study.
Forget lifting heavy weights — beginners just need to focus on these 2 things to build strength and muscle
Weightlifting beginners don't need to focus on lifting heavy weights to begin with; practicing a full range of motion during exercises and full control is more important.
We test yoga mats for a living — these are the 6 we'd buy
We've tried and tested the best yoga mats from Manduka, Lululemon, Yogi Bare, Liforme and more, to find the best quality and sustainable brands for your practice.
I'm a personal trainer — avoid these 2 big mistakes when doing squats
Personal trainer shares two mistakes to avoid during squats and how to fix the issues if you're already doing them.
Forget apple cider vinegar — I added grapefruit to my water every day to boost my metabolism, and here's what happened
Grapefruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, and could improve your heart health and boost your metabolism, but what does drinking grapefruit water every day do to your body? We found out.
Forget 10,000 steps — study suggests doing this to your daily walk could boost your physical health and help you lose fat
A study conducted into long and short bouts of walking per day using equal intensity and volume showed significant increases in physical activity, step count and more for one group.
