Build Strength Prior to Beginning to Lift Weights?

Since, I already know I'm depending on more strength on my right side (particularly in my upper body), what would you propose, exercise-wise, to even me out?

Dumbbells, as opposed (or perhaps in addition to?) a barbell. Using the same weight in each hand will force both sides to do the same amount of work. Realistically, you'll likely always be a little stronger on one side than the other, but using dumbbells should help balance things out.

So, my trainer (at a commercial gym) is dead set against the idea of me doing compound lifts with a barbell, yet...although, I've already done them. She claims that I need to work on form using kettlebell routines and build initial strength that way. Now, I know that I'm coming from a relatively sedentary state and that I am really wimpy, but do you build up to compound lifts, or do you use compound lifts to gain strength?

Thoughts, please?

i don't know why she would assume kettle bells would be any safer then a barbell. if anything it would take more strength and cordination to lift the same weight.

That said, the way most trainers get to know your imbalances is to watch you move. Most of us have fixed exercises/movements we ask the trainee to perform (bodyweight squat is one). With pictures (or video) from the front and the side, the trainer can sit down with the trainee and show him/her what is happening and what we can do to fix it. Fixing imbalances and building muscular endurance are always task one for me. But I'm clear with the client why we're doing what we are doing and the go forward plan.

Squat imbalances are all over the place (hip flexor, adductor, abductor, glutes, hamstrings, quads). Kettlebells can be an effective way to work on muscle imbalances. Getting under a bar can be effective, depending on the imbalances. Sometimes, lowering the weight only serves to allow you to learn the lift in a poor movement pattern, which could lead to injury later.

Ask your trainer what exactly they are using the training to address. If they can't convince you that there are imbalances they're working through (because building strength to prepare for strength training is meaningless), then either they are following the one size fits all gym approach, don't know what the heck they are doing, or they are poor communicators. In any case, they aren't the trainer for you.

but you still have a different (albiet slight) technique under the bar- doing KB squats/DL's should be a strength training supplement while she gets the barbell work in.

The trainer is dodging- I'm not even inclined to say for more money- because it's a pre-payed set session of 5. She's not doing herself any sales favors- if she was smarter she'd be doing what the client requested- so the client might be more inclined to purcahse more sessions. Instead she's forcing stupid very specific crap for no particular reason (no particular VALID reason) on someone who clearly doesn't want it

I think she's honestly just a super shi55y trainer. I don't' care what cert's she has. She sounds like she's retarded and has no idea how to work with people and just insists that they do things her way.

Yes. *ding, ding, ding*

After telling her I refuse to get on an elliptical or a stairmaster, she tried to put me on one, then the other, last night. I kept saying, "alternative to ____?" Finally, we got to a treadmill and rowing machine, which I actually am fine with doing if I MUST do cardio. She also told me I should come in for the 4th cardio session in between strength training, and I told her that the only way I'd do an extra cardio is if I was already strength training that day.

She's young and not listening.

if her cardio repertoire is limited to cardio machines, she's a poor trainner indeed. if i was paying for a trainner and she put me on any kinda machine, i'd want a refund.