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

Forget the gym — this 15-minute kettlebell workout strengthens your abs and entire body with 3 just moves
By Sam Hopes published
You just need 15 minutes, one kettlebell and three exercises to strengthen your entire body and core muscles, according to a personal trainer.

A yoga teacher shares 3 exercises you can do to bulletproof your core and strengthen your lower back
By Sam Hopes published
A yoga teacher says you can build core strength with these three yoga poses and just your bodyweight.

Unlock your tight hips: A yoga teacher says these are the 'big 3 movements' you need for mobility as you age
By Sam Hopes last updated
A yoga teacher says you can release tight hips and improve mobility as you age using these three types of hip movements.

Forget sit-ups and crunches — can you get abs if you plank every day?
By Sam Hopes last updated
Can doing a plank every day build visible abs? A personal trainer says not quite, but here are the benefits of planking for your body, and what it really takes to build a six-pack.

This one-minute exercise saved my shoulder mobility — and no, it’s not cat-cow pose
By Sam Hopes last updated
You can improve mobility and range of motion in your shoulders with this one exercise from a personal trainer, and it only takes 60 seconds.

‘ChiWalking’ is trending, so I ditched fart walking and tried it — here's what happened
By Sam Hopes last updated
"ChiWalking" involves a blend of Tai Chi and mindful walking. Here's everything you need to know, and how it could benefit you.

I'm a personal trainer — 3 things I wish I had known about weightlifting in my 30s
By Sam Hopes published
Three tips for weightlifting in your 30s from a personal trainer, including how to stay injury-free.

New study says the 'one-set rule' could help you build more muscle in the gym (while doing less) — here's how
By Sam Hopes published
The "one set rule" means performing just one set of each exercise in your routine to failure, prioritizing intensity over reps and sets. Here's how it works, according to research.

You just need 3 moves and 25 minutes to build your back, biceps and shoulders with a set of dumbbells
By Sam Hopes published
Build back, shoulder and biceps muscles with these three dumbbell exercises, according to a personal trainer.

This one bodyweight exercise strengthens your upper body and core without weights — and no, it’s not regular push-ups or planks
By Sam Hopes published
The bear push-up is a push-up variation performed from a tabletop position to strengthen your chest, arms and shoulders. Here's how to do it, and the benefits.

Who needs weights? I’m a personal trainer, and this 3-move bodyweight workout boosts core stability and builds strength all over
By Sam Hopes published
It doesn't take a gym to build a strong body and core; you can do it using three functional exercises and your bodyweight, according to a personal trainer.

German Volume Training (GVT) packs on muscle size, strength and volume — here's how, according to a personal trainer
By Sam Hopes last updated
Personal trainer shares ‘GVT Method’ for packing on muscle size and volume

Who needs the gym? Longevity expert shares the only 6 exercises you need after 40, 50 and 60 to build strength
By Sam Hopes published
Build and maintain strength after 40, 50 and 60 with six exercises shared by a top longevity expert, who says they're "all you need."

No, not planks — I swapped them for Pilates push-ups, and my core and arms feel strong and stable
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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)
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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’
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
Cortisol cocktails are on trend, but do they work? We put them to the test to see what, if any, health benefits exist.
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