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. Having worked with brands like F45 and Virgin, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, calisthenics and kettlebells. In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit, yoga and running and is currently training for her next Hyrox in London. She can be found testing the latest fitness technology and has a keen interest in mobility, stretching and writing on hot topics like nutrition, sleep and recovery.
Latest articles by Sam Hopes
![Woman holding best kettlebells on her right shoulder against a grey backdrop wearing white crop top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BP5bkkUSZGwCjKDz5zMT4Y-320-80.jpg)
8 best kettlebells 2024: tried, tested, and reviewed by a personal trainer
By Sam Hopes last updated
The best kettlebells for strength and conditioning, weightlifting, and home workouts, including Onnit, Primal and Amazon. Plus, the best kettlebells for CrossFit and competition.
![BowFlex SelectTech 552i adjustable dumbbells in their storage trays](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iaNv9AScoZXywZhW4K2vfJ-320-80.jpg)
We've tested the best adjustable dumbbells for weightlifting at home 2024
By James Frew last updated
We used the best adjustable dumbbells for strength training and high-intensity workouts to help you find the right weights for your muscle-building goals.
![Woman gripping a barbell on the floor in the gym during barbell workout ready to perform deadlift](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UdoMoKj8G3aETb8HzgiUT3-320-80.jpg)
CrossFit athlete shares a 3-move barbell workout to build lower body strength, muscle and power
By Sam Hopes last updated
Build stronger legs and core muscles and develop lower body power with this three-move barbell workout, according to CrossFit Games athlete Aimee Cringle.
![Woman running outdoors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gbWS35pFtDaesuBfaGQekR-320-80.jpg)
I've added 5K runs to my weekly exercise routine — and the results have been surprising
By Sam Hopes last updated
One writer added 5K runs to her weekly exercise routine in preparation for Hyrox, and here's what happened.
![a photo of a man performing a side plank](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cnMigFWhEdY88kU8WxWSvi-320-80.jpg)
I did side planks with leg raises every day for a week to strengthen my core — here’s my results
By Sam Hopes last updated
This side plank variation targets your upper and lower body while building core strength. Here's what happens when you do the exercise every day for a week.
![Man outside pulling a resistance band to one side during a twist exercise](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UDWEFLiTH2D4mmw7odTn6j-320-80.jpg)
Forget dumbbells — this 5-move ab workout sculpts a strong core and strengthens your hips using just a resistance band
By Sam Hopes last updated
This 25-minute resistance band workout strengthens your core muscles and hips in five moves. A personal trainer explains how to do it and the benefits.
![Nicole on all-fours with left arm and right leg extended](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yoHM8jrLTU2CAzFH2BdBoh-320-80.jpg)
I tried this 35-minute bodyweight Pilates workout — and it helped release tight hips and boost core strength
By Sam Hopes last updated
A Pilates instructor says this 35-minute Pilates workout strengthens your abs and glutes without weights — so we tried it.
![Puma Fuse 2.0 cross training shoes on gym floor next to dumbbells with killer deal badge top left](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v3L2ZStq2n2ABgrFrAh8ub-320-80.jpg)
I'm training for Hyrox in the Puma Fuse 2.0 cross training shoes — and they're just $54 ahead of Prime Day
By Sam Hopes last updated
The Puma Fuse 2.0 cross training shoe just went on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day. Save up to $46 right now for a limited time.
![Woman practicing yoga outdoors on Liforme yoga mat with price drop deal badge top right corner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i5FX6Dd3hsNhD8HMPLTMbG-320-80.jpg)
Epic International Day of Yoga sale shreds 50% off the 'best yoga mat on the planet' ahead of Amazon Prime Day
By Sam Hopes last updated
Save up to 50% on the 'best yoga mat in the world' Liforme yoga mat for a limited time during International Day of Yoga sales.
![fit woman's abs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Te7ZCXoGMYSKqtYxRNaQQJ-320-80.jpg)
Forget weights — this 10-minute calisthenics core workout sculpts a strong core in 5 moves
By Sam Hopes published
This equipment-free calisthenics workout builds a strong core with five exercises and 10 minutes. Here's how to do it.
![Man performing push-ups in gym studio during workout](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SHTFkbTmWNHEhWmmRYS7kZ-320-80.jpg)
I'm a personal trainer who prefers strength training to bodyweight workouts — here's why I love this 20-minute calisthenics routine for beginners
By Sam Hopes last updated
I'm a personal trainer who enjoys strength training, but here’s why I use this 20-minute calisthenics routine for beginners instead of other bodyweight workouts.
![Man performing a squat outdoors next to exercise mat and kettlebell](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JyNZxJrk6BizpGhtzuf8FX-320-80.jpg)
You don’t need lunges to build stronger legs, just this one bodyweight exercise and a kettlebell
By Sam Hopes last updated
Kang squats are a weightlifting exercise used to build muscle and lower-body strength. Here’s how to do Kang squats and what the benefits are.
![Woman doing a bodyweight squat outside near some water](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DRbfYmcvkMyNvajMuQYPyn-320-80.jpg)
I’m a personal trainer — this 3-move bodyweight workout builds full-body strength and boosts your metabolism
By Sam Hopes last updated
This three-move bodyweight workout builds explosive full-body strength and boosts your metabolism without weights. A personal trainer explains how.
![Woman performing a dragon pose on yoga mat during exercise in studio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GiK2Ttx3jVcjTRvFpxUrxZ-320-80.jpg)
I tried 3-minute dragon lunges to boost hip flexibility and build lower body strength — here's what happened
By Sam Hopes published
The dragon lunge and dragon pose variations strengthen the glutes, hip flexors, quads, and lower body joints — here's how to do the bodyweight exercise and the benefits.
![Woman sitting on yoga mat outdoors performing a spinal twist with left leg extended and right leg bent, twisting to the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vC8tApE3Fmi9pPJ49SuJ8X-320-80.jpg)
I just tried a 60-minute penguin yoga class— and the results surprised me
By Sam Hopes last updated
Here's what happened when our fitness writer tried a 60-minute vinyasa yoga class alongside a colony of penguins.
![Woman sitting on yoga mat in light and airy studio cross-legged performing a breathing exercise with hand on chest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bd9Vxf89SUQuxhJiUPuya9-320-80.jpg)
3 breathing exercises for beginners to build mental strength, boost mood and strengthen your core
By Sam Hopes last updated
Breathing exercises like box breathing and lion's breath help me engage my core, build mental strength, and sleep better —here's how to use them.
![Writer Sam Hopes performing a dolphin plank in her living room at home](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jD5zbpp8dkrxjwYjj8YeLi-320-80.jpg)
I tried 90 dolphin push-ups every day for one week — here’s what happened to my body
By Sam Hopes last updated
What is the dolphin push-up, how do you do it and what happens if you do 90 reps every day for one week?
![Man performing a lunge outdoors during workout next to the ocean](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aoTdXnYjwCHPauBrHHMPmb-320-80.jpg)
Stiff hips? This 5-move bodyweight walking workout builds flexibility and a stronger lower body
By Sam Hopes last updated
A five-move bodyweight walking workout could help build flexibility, strengthen your lower body, and boost your mood. Here's how.
![Man on exercise mat in studio performing a single leg Romanian deadlift with left leg raised and holding two dumbbells](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pyEJdAVsSs8aer62x58v8W-320-80.jpg)
I'm a personal trainer — strengthen your core and build lower body muscle with these 3 dumbbell exercises
By Sam Hopes last updated
Strengthen your core and build lower body muscle and strength using these three bodyweight exercises and a dumbbell.
![Woman performing gorilla stretch on yoga mat in light and airy studio during stretching session](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HiNHTyg6B3Mn3899qMQbeB-320-80.jpg)
I added a 1-minute gorilla stretch to my workouts every day for one week — here's what happened
By Sam Hopes published
The gorilla stretch is a yoga pose responsible for stretching the muscles of your posterior chain, including the lower back and hamstrings. Our writer did it every day for one week.
![Best golf shoes up close](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oC7pv9amRj5SoiQo4EGeiM-320-80.jpg)
Best golf shoes 2024: tried and tested
By Scott Kramer last updated
The best golf shoes for men and women have all the technical features, waterproofing and other goodies you need.
![Golfers carrying the best golf bags](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nfN7KRLjnDQ33x9hSvUELG-320-80.jpg)
Best golf bags 2024 — rated and reviewed
By Mike Bailey last updated
We’ve found the best golf bags for walking, riding, and traveling in 2024 — perfect for golfers of all skill levels.
![a woman carrying two dumbbells](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M4JFuaqX9wKYAXKxFcU7eN-320-80.jpg)
What is the 2-move CrossFit ‘Midline March’ workout, and could it build full-body muscle and a stronger core?
By Sam Hopes published
The CrossFit 'Midline March' workout uses the farmer's walk and GHD sit-up to build full-body strength and target your core muscles. Here's how to do it.
![a photo of a woman holding a kettlebell in the gym](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TyzTgKDqLGcWMgA9BfoH8P-320-80.jpg)
How to lose belly fat — 10 exercises to try
By Jane McGuire last updated
The best exercises to target belly fat. Add these exercises to your routine to torch calories and tone your stomach.
![Man in the gym performing a barbell back squat](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FuuYjwYK9LiJXsxUv3nT7S-320-80.jpg)
I’m a personal trainer — 5 things I wish I'd known before trying barbell squats for the first time
By Sam Hopes last updated
A personal trainer reveals five tips for barbell squat beginners learning how to squat for the first time, the benefits, and ways to improve the strength compound exercise.