Help me please - Gym question

I am headed to the gym tonight - I already ran for an hour this morning before work. I am new to the gym so I haven't tried any of the machines for like toning and stuff. In fact all I have done is the elliptical machine   - mostly because I am embarrassed because I have not idea how to use the machines, but tonight I am going to try them.  Any feedback on what to try and how long to/rep to do them for?

I know I know - like I said I haven't even tried them because I don't know - help! 

Any gym worth the price of membership should have staff that is available to show you proper use of equipment.  I would say that you should grab someone.  Our gym even has a file system so you can keep your lifting plan there with all the seat position numbers, etc., so when you hit a machine, you don't have to fiddle around with the positions.  At best, an improperly set machine isn't going to work the correct muscles; at worst, you could end up hurting yourself.

 

For the beginning week. try LOW LOW weights do 10 reps per set. do 3 set of each taking 30 sec between each set. do a run through of the machines to get used to them. IF there is someone there ask ?'s they will more than likely help you. Once you have done that for 2-3 days. than start to add in a bit of weight. But don't overdo. you want to challenge yourself but not drive yourself out of the gym. So make it to were when you get to the 8th-9th one you are struggling but not out of form. make sure your back is strait. that is the best I have for you without being there to help you. Good luck hopefully other help will come in for you.

Good for you for even having the guts to go outside your comfort zone.  Many gyms offer 1 free training session after you join (although they don't normally publicize it, so it is worth asking)...if yours does that would help out ALOT.  If not, then before you even get there, decide what parts of your body you would like to work on, and focus on those.   You'll want to alternate with each visit.  Also, you'll notice that the machines are together that work similar parts of your body.  Most places even have a little diagram located at eye height highlighting which part of the body that machine targets and how to operate the machine.  It's difficult to do it perfectly, without instruction, so you may want to hire a trainer if only for one session.  Take a pen and paper with you and write down his/her instructions.  Have fun, try not to get intimidated, and people are generally pretty friendly if you ask for help.  Good luck and have fun!!!

And if you're going to a gym on a military base, the staff will show you how for free. That's awesome that you're going to do it!! So don't be shy to ask for assistance. It's how I learned.

The machines should have a picture and instructions on how to use them, some are a bit hard to figure out so just ask one of the people working there. You basically want to work all the major muscle groups, pick a weight that you can handle but is challenging in those last reps...I do 3 sets of 10-15 reps.