Articles by Sam Hopes, Staff writer

Sam Hopes is a fitness trainer, reiki practitioner, and resident fitness writer at Future PLC. Having trained to work with both the mind and body, Sam is a big advocate of using mindfulness techniques in sports and aims to bring mental well-being to the forefront of fitness. She’s also passionate about the fundamentals of training and how we can build more sustainable training methods. You’ll find her writing about the importance of habit-building, nutrition, sleep, recovery, and workouts.

Articles by: Sam Hopes

Best shoes for Peloton 2023: Snap up some top-tier cycling shoes

By Sam Hopes last updated 13 March 23

BUYING GUIDE Find your perfect match with the best shoes for Peloton, tried and tested by the Live Science team

The 9 best exercise bikes for home use in 2023

By Sam Hopes last updated 15 March 23

Buying Guide Boost your cardio with the best exercise bikes — get fit from the comfort of your own home

garmin venu sq 2 being tested by contributor Andrew Williams

Best Garmin deals: Save money on a new smartwatch

By Sam Hopes published 30 November 22

Deals We've pulled together the best Garmin deals, so you can get a top of the line fitness tracker for less.

Garmin Forerunner 955 typical display screen

Should you buy a Garmin Smartwatch this Black Friday?

By Sam Hopes published 24 November 22

It's tempting to splash out, but should you invest in a Black Friday Garmin watch deal?

shot of a person rolling up their yoga mat

Best yoga mats 2023: The best designs for hot yoga, travel and general home use

By Sam Hopes published 3 November 22

Buying Guide The best yoga mats can help both beginners and experts to reap the benefits of the practice ⁠— here’s our tried and tested round-up

Woman walking on the Kingsmith WalkingPad S1

Best walking treadmills 2023

By Sam Hopes last updated 24 February 23

Our roundup of the best walking treadmills can help you keep active while you work.

Should you buy an exercise bike? Image shows woman on exercise bike at home

Should you buy an exercise bike in the Prime Early Access Sale?

By Harry Bullmore last updated 11 October 22

Feature Is the Prime Early Access Sale the perfect opportunity to buy an exercise bike, or should you wait?

Woman with best workout equipment for home

Best workout equipment for home 2023

By Sam Hopes published 6 October 22

Buying Guide Want to level up your training? We’ve found the best workout equipment for home from smart treadmills and rowing machines to free weights and bikes.

Amazfit Powerbuds Pro being tested by Live Science

Amazfit PowerBuds Pro earbuds review

By Sam Hopes published 5 October 22

Review Meet the Amazfit PowerBuds Pro true wireless earbuds — headphone meets health and fitness tracker

Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Headphones on wooden table

Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 earbuds review

By Sam Hopes published 1 October 22

Review The Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 earbuds generously upgrade their famous O5 Plus predecessors, including better battery life and sound quality

Primasole folding yoga mat on wooden floor

Primasole folding yoga mat review

By Sam Hopes published 30 September 22

Review The Primasole folding yoga mat is a compact, budget-friendly, and lightweight travel companion

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 review

By Sam Hopes published 29 September 22

Review The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 supply 360 sound without slipping from your ears.

Best yoga mats: Tester Sam Hopes performs one-legged plank on the Manduka PROlite yoga mat

Manduka PROlite yoga mat review

By Sam Hopes published 28 September 22

Review The travel-friendly Manduka PROlite yoga mat is also extra-roomy to accommodate all yogis

Best fitness trackers: Xiaomi Smart Band 7 fitness tracker

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 fitness tracker review

By Sam Hopes last updated 26 October 22

Review The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 could be a match made in wearable heaven if you’re looking for a budget fitness tracker

Best running headphones: Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds in their charging case

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds review

By Sam Hopes published 22 September 22

Review Cancel all noise with the exceptionally bassy Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds

Best sports bras for running: top picks from Under Armour, Sweaty Betty and more

By Alice Ball last updated 15 March 23

We've put the best sports bras for running to the test – here are our top recommendations.

Woman performing child's pose on the Lululemon Take Form yoga mat side on

Lululemon Take Form yoga mat review

By Sam Hopes published 20 September 22

Review The innovatively designed Lululemon Take Form 5mm yoga mat might just be Lululemon’s most beautiful mat yet.

What is PNF stretching?

By Sam Hopes published 17 September 22

Reference What is PNF stretching? Experts explain the benefits and how to do it safely.

Woman boxing with her trainer: the benefits of boxing

Surprising benefits of boxing you might not know

By Sam Hopes last updated 16 September 22

Reference Coaches reveal 5 benefits of boxing that pack a punch for your health and fitness

Woman practicing hot yoga benefits with hands pressed together at chest

Hot yoga benefits: how high temperatures influence your practice

By Sam Hopes published 9 September 22

Hot yoga benefits could mean more than just getting sweaty on your mat. Find out why

Withings ScanWatch being tested by Live Science

Withings ScanWatch review: A timelessly fashionable watch meets fitness tracker

By Sam Hopes last updated 21 September 22

Review The Withings ScanWatch blends the beautiful design of a wristwatch with intelligent and intuitive health and fitness tracking

Jade Harmony Yoga Mat being tested by Live Science writer Sam Hopes

Jade Harmony yoga mat review

By Sam Hopes last updated 13 September 22

Review The Jade Harmony yoga mat combines earthly and sustainable design with excellent grip and popping color palettes

Yogi Bare Wild Paws Natural Rubber Extreme Grip yoga mat being tested by Live Science

Yogi Bare Wild Paws Natural Rubber Extreme Grip yoga mat review

By Sam Hopes last updated 13 September 22

Review Plant your paws on the super grippy Yogi Bare Wild Paws Natural Rubber Extreme Grip yoga mat – it can handle the heat

Oura ring Generation 3 being tested by Live Science writer

Oura ring Generation 3 review

By Sam Hopes last updated 21 September 22

Review We put the Oura ring Generation 3 to the test to see how and why it's changing the game in modern health tracking

Is barefoot running better for you?

By Sam Hopes last updated 3 November 22

Reference We asked running experts and physiotherapists: is barefoot running better for you?

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