You just spelled out exactly why that trainer is not a successful trainer in an upscale facility. Its like expecting some college student/trainer at a Gold's Gym to know anything about strength development. By his answer he is clearly (sadly) misinformed... How does he expect people to build their core muscles? The very first exercises I do are squats, goodmornings or RDLs, dead lifts, etc. I may hold off before teaching them power cleans or snatch, but the basics that I just listed are ESSENTIAL. If a trainer thinks you need to "stick to machines" or some other nonsense, then he/she should not be in a position to give advice to newbies.