Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified fitness instructor, 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 Active, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, 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 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

Do you find push-ups uncomfortable? I’ve ditched stretches for 'sphinx presses' to build upper-body mobility, strength and stability
By Sam Hopes published
Do you find push-ups uncomfortable? Add the sphinx push-up to your routine and watch your upper-body mobility, strength and stability transform.

Skip the treadmill — try this 5-move bodyweight workout to build endurance and boost your metabolism instead
By Sam Hopes last updated
Skip the burpees or treadmills and try this 5-move bodyweight workout to boost your cardio endurance and metabolism.

9 best cross training shoes 2025: tried, tested and reviewed by personal trainers
By Sam Hopes last updated
The best cross training shoes for weightlifting, CrossFit, and Hyrox, including models from Nike, Reebok, R.A.D, and NOBULL.

Best bike lights in 2025: Tested and reviewed
By Dan Cavallari last updated
The best bike lights we've tested, including the best front and rear bike lights to keep you safe, as well as the best bike light sets.

11 best foam rollers 2025: tested and reviewed by our team
By Jane McGuire last updated
We tested the best foam rollers on the market to help you boost muscle recovery post-exercise. Here are our top picks.

Best home gym equipment 2025: Tested and reviewed by our fitness experts
By Sam Hopes last updated
We tested the best home gym equipment on the market, and these are our top picks.

Mobility coach and Olympic weightlifter recommends these 4 moves to unlock tight hips and boost overhead squat mobility
By Sam Hopes last updated
Mobility coach and former Olympic weightlifter Sonny Webster recommends the lever squat and three other moves to unlock overhead mobility.

I'm a personal trainer — these are the 3 wellness tweaks that have changed my life, and you can try them too
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer reveals three 'non-negotiables' for her fitness routine to boost wellbeing.

You just need these upper-body exercises and a tennis ball to build strong and healthy shoulders without weights
By Sam Hopes last updated
Relieve tight shoulders, build upper body mobility and strengthen your back, with these 10 moves and a tennis ball.

Look no further — instead of squats, try this exercise to build explosive lower-body power and a stronger core
By Sam Hopes published
Build lower body strength and power and strengthen your core with prisoner squat box jumps. Here's how.

Best weightlifting belts 2025, tested and reviewed by our fitness experts
By Sam Hopes last updated
These are the best weightlifting belts for strength training, powerlifting and weightlifting, regardless of fitness ability or level. Tried and tested by Tom's Guide.

Best hiking boots in 2025 — tested and rated for mountain trails and casual hikes
By John R. Quain, Dan Bracaglia, Jessica Downey last updated
These are the best hiking boots to in 2025, including the best waterproof hiking boots and the best hiking boots for casual trekkers.

First look: I’ve been training with the R.A.D One V2 cross training shoe, and here’s my verdict
By Sam Hopes last updated
I put the R.A.D One V2 training shoe to the test, and the re-design elevates the shoe for durability, stability and comfort.

10 best weighted jump ropes 2025: tried, tested and reviewed
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best weighted jump ropes are affordable and can provide a great workout at home. Here's our round-up of the top picks from the market, tried and tested by our fitness team.

Hack your hips: I’m a personal trainer, and these 3 moves reduce stiff hips and boost flexibility
By Sam Hopes last updated
Reduce tightness and relieve tension with these three mobility exercises for more open hips, according to a personal trainer.

8 best jump ropes for competition, home and gym workouts 2025: tested and reviewed by our fitness team
By Jane McGuire, Sam Hopes last updated
These are the best jump ropes to improve your strength, conditioning and endurance during home or gym workouts.

I've been doing cold water therapy using the LUMI Therapy ice bath — and the effects seriously surprised me
By Sam Hopes last updated
What are the benefits of ice baths and cold water therapy? Here's what happened when this writer tested it out.

If you want sculpted arms and shoulders, I'd follow this trainer's 5-move upper-body kettlebell routine
By Sam Hopes published
Build stronger arms, shoulders and core muscles with this fitness trainer's five-move upper-body kettlebell workout.

The 10 best gym bags 2025: Tested and reviewed by a fitness team
By Sam Hopes, Kimberly Dawn Neumann last updated
We’ve found the best gym bags for all types of workouts and exercisers from Lululemon to Adidas. Here are our recommendations.

I did 70 Turkish sit-ups every day for a week — here’s what happened to my abs
By Sam Hopes published
A personal trainer shares her experience performing 70 Turkish sit-ups every day for one week in this fitness challenge, and here are the results.

Instead of 'basic' crunches — here are 3 abs exercises you need to try, according to a functional training coach
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build strong core muscles without weights, just using these three crunch variations from a functional training coach.

A trainer shares three of her favorite lower abs exercises to build a strong core, with or without weights.
By Sam Hopes last updated
Get ready to feel the burn, according to a personal trainer

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.
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