What was the rep range of what you were doing like? Higher? One thing about barbells vs dumbbells or kettle bells is that because of the way the weight is distributed you are actually stronger using them (I mean obviously not STRONGER but its easier to lift more weight on a barbell). For example, a dumbbell bench press for me might be like, 75 lbs tops (I haven't tested this from a 1rm perspective though) . On the bar, I can do 95. The bar helps stabilize the weight. Also for something like squats it means your arm strength doesn't limit you.

Also - What are your equipment options at that gym like?

Stronglifts is much lower rep than most stuff a trainer will have you do - you MIGHT be ok to start now - and if you have access to bars that are lighter than an oly bar there's absolutely no reason you couldn't start at 20lbs instead of 45 and then again, depending on your options you can get various types of weights (fractional plates or magnetic weights or even wrap 1lb leg or wrist weights around the bar) to increase your weight slowly.

The chin ups thing is a bit harder to say - because we are women we will ALWAYS have a harder time with these. I think you can work up to one though I dont' know how long it will take you. I only started working on chinups specifically 3 months ago (after I finished 3-4 months of stronglifts) and I went from needing 120 lbs of assistance to 90 in that time frame. (I'm using an assistance machine, its supposedly not ideal but its much less of a hassle and I like that i can use small increments to change my effort - I do core strength exercises at other times so it should be fine). So, by that schedule I guess I'll be about 9months to do a single chin up too - but I'm at a HUGE disadvantage because I'm very heavy.

You're much lighter than me - 35 lbs less - so you might be able to do it a BIT sooner, although really it depends a lot on you. I don't think you will know until you get out there and try.

Oh god this was SO long and rambly. Ok um. I think your original question was - trainer or no. And I'd say - no, unless you absolutely cannot lift the bars you have access to (like you only have olympic bars and you can't do 45 lbs) in which case .... maybe. You don't really NEED one to build up strength but they are nice to have if you don't want to fiddle with your own programming. If you want to save the money, you'd probably do just fine by setting yourself up with some basic moves 3x a week - pushups, dumbbell lunges and squats. Trainers are mostly good for two things - motivation (pushing you to do something you didn't think you could) and programming. So ask yourself if you need either of those things. IF the answer is yes, go for it. If not, then don't.

Strong Lifts! Just use a trainer to get comfortable with your form. Don't worry about being weak, you can only go up from here. :flowerforyou:

What's the price of the trainer? Are there other options in your area for a cheaper trainer? Have you shopped around trainers at all yet? I would definitely say go with your gut. I joined a very helpful group of women that is focused on fat loss, but eventually, I want to train with weights and I know I'm going to have to shop around to find a good deal!

Stronglifts w/hubby, you already have a starting point. Watching and taking video are also great ideas.

I found a smartphone app called Lift Big that helps me track the exercises and I dont need to bring a notebook, It also has a timer which is good for me because I am very impatient with rest time.

Good luck!!

Just a side bar on the pull-ups, they are DEFINITELY do-able for women. You just have to get started. Use the assisted machine if you have one and drop the weight each week. Or wrap a resistance band around a regular pull-up bar to give yourself some help. Or put your toes on a chair. There's not really a way to get stronger to do them without just doing them.

I'm up to 6 sets of 10 in my workout now and while the strength gains from SL definitely helped, there's no substitute for just doing it and getting a little stronger and better each time you try.