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
I'm a personal trainer — the candlestick roll is the best bodyweight exercise for your barbell squats
By Sam Hopes last updated
Candlestick rolls are a gymnastics progression that develops mobility, range of motion, core stability, balance, lower body power and coordination. A personal trainer explains how.
Boost hip flexibility and strengthen your glutes with these 5 bodyweight exercises and a resistance band
By Sam Hopes last updated
One personal trainer reveals the five glute exercises you need to build lower body mobility, activate your glutes, and strengthen your hips using a resistance band.
Forget the gym — this 3-move CrossFit workout for beginners builds full-body strength
By Sam Hopes last updated
The full-body CrossFit workout by Rob Lawson builds strength, power and endurance and you only need one dumbbell, a rowing machine and three moves. Here's how.
The best period swimwear has hit the sales before summer — 5 deals from $9 I'd buy right now
By Sam Hopes last updated
Find huge discounts on swimwear in the latest Amazon sales, including leak-proof period swimwear items we love.
I'm a personal trainer — this bodyweight ab exercise builds a solid core without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
The hollow hold and hollow rock abs exercises build a strong core and target your hips, quads, and lower back without weights.
Forget dumbbells — build a strong back and biceps with these 3 upper-body barbell exercises
By Sam Hopes last updated
These five barbell exercises build stronger back and biceps muscles. Here's how to do them, according to a personal trainer.
I'm a personal trainer — this 3-move stretching routine builds shoulder strength and boosts flexibility
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer explains how to do three tried and tested upper body exercises to build flexibility and strength in your shoulders.
5 of the best exercises to build your biceps using a resistance band
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build stronger biceps muscles with these five resistance band exercises. Here's how to do them, according to a personal trainer.
Forget Russian twists — this 10-minute abs workout strengthens deep core muscles and reduces back pain
By Sam Hopes published
This 10-minute ab workout strengthens deep core muscles and reduces lower back pain in 3 moves without crunches or sit-ups.
Forget the gym — this 30-minute walking workout builds mental strength and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
This 30-minute walking workout could boost metabolism, build mental strength and improve cardiovascular fitness. Here's how to walk with Goop.
Hip pain? Build lower body strength and boost flexibility with 3 moves and 15 minutes
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build lower body strength and boost flexibility without weights using three exercises in just 15 minutes.
I did 5-minute starburst planks every day for one week — here’s what happened
By Sam Hopes last updated
Starburst planks are a side plank variation that builds full-body strength and targets the obliques, hips and glutes. Our fitness writer performed them for five minutes every day.
You don't need the gym to build muscle — try this outdoor 15-minute dumbbell workout instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
This 15-minute outdoor workout raises your heart rate and targets your entire body using a set of dumbbells to help build muscle and improve endurance.
Forget weights — this 30-minute yoga routine builds flexibility and strengthens your core
By Sam Hopes published
This short 30-minute yoga routine by Move With Nicole builds flexibility, strengthens your core, and boosts mindfulness.
I’m a personal trainer — 5 compound exercises that build a strong core without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
These five compound exercises build stronger core muscles without sit-ups, crunches, or lifting heavy weights, according to a personal trainer.
Forget pull-ups — you just need a set of dumbbells and 5 exercises to build your back and biceps
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build stronger back and biceps muscles with these five dumbbell exercises. Here's how to do them, according to a personal trainer.
You don’t need planks or crunches to build core muscle — use this 3-move kettlebell abs workout
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need crunches or planks to build strong core muscles, this three-move kettlebell abs workout only takes 15 minutes.
I tried 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the first time — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a rehabilitation method that increases oxygen intake in a pressurized chamber to boost energy, exercise recovery and reduce fatigue.
How much protein do you need to build muscle?
By Sam Hopes published
What is protein, how much protein do you need to build muscle, and when should you eat protein? One personal trainer explains what you need to know.
I just tried two minutes of cryotherapy for the first time — here's what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
Cryotherapy is a rehabilitation method using extreme cold application to boost mood and energy, reduce fatigue, pain, and inflammation and improve exercise recovery.
Forget barbells — sculpt your core and lower body with this 5-move kettlebell workout
By Sam Hopes last updated
This five-move kettlebell workout takes 25 minutes, builds muscles in your legs and glutes, and strengthens your core. Our in-house personal trainer explains how to do it.
I did 7-minute abs wheel planks every day for a week — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
I tried doing seven-minute abs wheel planks every day for a week. Here are the results and the benefits of doing abs wheel planks for your core muscles.
This 3-move dumbbell abs workout builds core strength and full-body muscle and only takes 15 minutes
By Sam Hopes last updated
This 15-minute dumbbell workout strengthens your core muscles and builds full-body strength with just three exercises and a set of weights.
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