If you’ve met Emily at RMFLEX, you already know she brings a grounded, no-nonsense energy to training. Whether she’s guiding someone through their first deadlift or helping an experienced lifter fine-tune their form, Emily’s all about functional strength and long-term progress.
In this Trainer Spotlight, we had the chance to ask her about everything from nutrition and motivation to underrated gym equipment and her unique background in professional tag, parkour, and mental health. Her approach is thoughtful, real, and built around helping people feel stronger in and outside the gym.
1. What is the most common nutrition mistake people make when trying to get in shape, and how can they correct it?
The most common nutrition mistake is not eating enough. It might seem counterintuitive, but when you start working out more consistently, your body needs more energy to perform and recover. Fueling your body properly is essential for long-term sustainability and growth.
2. What’s your top exercise for building strength in a specific body part, and why is it so effective?
I think a lot of people assume personal trainers are super intense or will push people before they’re ready. Or they picture big muscle-head types who just want to make everyone huge.
But most personal trainers aren’t like that. We meet clients where they are and focus on their goals. A good trainer encourages you in a way that feels supportive, not overwhelming. We don’t push our own goals on clients. Instead, we build programs that are personalized to what each person actually wants to achieve.
3. What is the biggest misconception people have about personal training, and what should they know instead?
My top exercise is the squat or deadlift because of their functionality. They’re great movements that allow you to gradually or quickly add load, depending on your goals. They are both functional in the real world, with everyday motions that we use, so building strength in those areas is key to a happy existence.
Read: Reach Your Fitness Goals Faster by Hiring a Personal Trainer
4. What’s the number one thing people can do to stay motivated long-term in their fitness journey?
5. How can exercise help manage stress, and what impact does it have on someone's overall progress and results?
Exercise is a great way to help release endorphins naturally, and it also helps regulate stress hormones. By managing stress, we’re able to see and get the most positive results from our training. If we’re constantly stressed, our hormones are usually out of balance, and that prevents our bodies from being able to get the most out of our workouts.
6. How do you incorporate wellness habits like sleep, hydration, and stress management into your training programs?
I have an app I use that incorporates tracking these habits. For my clients, I also have the option to add additional daily goals for water intake and see if they’re reaching that goal. I encourage anyone who uses a smartwatch to sync it to the app to track their sleep. This way, if they are not hydrated, not sleeping well, or experiencing high amounts of stress, we can identify the underlying issues and work to address them. Not getting enough sleep, water, or having high stress can really limit growth and progress.
7. What’s your favorite piece of equipment at RMFLEX for working a specific body part, and why do you recommend it?
The hip thruster is one of my favorite pieces of equipment. It’s versatile and can be used for compound movements like the traditional hip thrust or for unilateral exercises like single-leg hip thrusts or Bulgarian split squats. I also love using it for Copenhagen planks to work the adductors.
8. Which piece of RMFLEX equipment do you think is underutilized but great for improving overall strength and mobility?
The glute/ham developer is a great machine for really focusing on and isolating parts of the body that generally need the most help. Weak glutes and hamstrings can lead to low back pain, so being conscientious of that and putting effort into building those muscles can help reduce the risk of that happening.
About Emily Stout
Emily Stout is a certified personal trainer at Rocky Mountain Flex and, based in Denver, Colorado. She’s passionate about helping people change their lives through functional strength training, with the belief that movement and consistency can dramatically improve everyday life. Whether working with clients in person or virtually, Emily uses a personalized approach to meet people where they’re at and guide them toward their individual goals.
With more than 10 years of weightlifting experience, 3 years as a competitive Pro Tag athlete, and a deep background in mental health, Emily brings both physical and emotional insight to every session. She’s also completed 20 half marathons and 3 full marathons and is a dedicated parkour enthusiast. Her coaching blends technical expertise with a grounded, encouraging presence that helps clients feel seen, capable, and empowered.
When she’s not in the gym or training clients, you’ll probably find her running, doing parkour, or enjoying life with her dog, Baxter, her cat, Totoro, and her partner.
Emily holds certifications in personal training, functional kettlebell training, corrective exercise, and CPR. Her programs focus on strength, mobility, and endurance, always with an emphasis on long-term sustainability and real-life application.
Certifications
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- Certified Functional Kettlebell Training
- Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist
- CPR Certified
Fun fact: I play professional tag when I’m not training people.
Ready to train with Emily?
Reach out through RMFLEX to book a session and get started with a coach who brings energy, experience, and a truly individualized approach to every client.
Contact:
