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 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.

My dad is 72, and these are the 3 strengthening exercises I use to build his strong core and improve balance
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
"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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes last updated
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
By Sam Hopes published
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
By Sam Hopes published
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.

7 best shoes for Peloton and indoor cycling 2025: tried and tested by our fitness team
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best shoes for Peloton and home exercise bikes are tried and tested by our in-house Tom's Guide fitness team, including models by Peloton, Rapha and more.

Experts say this is what to do if you can’t sleep after a workout
By Sam Hopes last updated
Experts and research recommend finishing high-intensity workouts at least 60 to 90 minutes before bedtime, and adding low-impact activities to your nighttime routine to minimize sleep disruption.

My stepmom is obsessed with reformer Pilates — she's spent hours and hours with the FOLD Reformer machine, and this is the verdict
By Sam Hopes published
The Original FOLD Reformer bed has taken the at-home Pilates industry by storm and offers a studio experience in your own home. We put it to the test for six weeks, and this is what we think.

You don't need to lift heavy weights to strengthen and tone your core muscles, just try these 3 ab exercises
By Sam Hopes last updated
You don't need to lift heavy weights to strengthen and tone your core muscles, according to a personal trainer who shares three of her favorite exercises for your abs.

Forget 10,000 steps — study reveals the real number of minimum daily steps you should take, according to your age
By Sam Hopes published
A study shows the minimum number of steps you should take per day to reduce your mortality risk, and how many steps you should take according to your age.

Forget gym machines — study shows this type of exercise is the most effective at building strength, muscle and power
By Sam Hopes published
Functional exercise is the key to strength, power and muscle as you get older, just ask the science.
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