New to Using Fitness Equipment. Where to Begin?

I used to belong to a gym and I was very intimidated, so I just did classes. I found an instructor I really enjoyed anddid a few private personal training sessions. He got me familiar a with the machines and helped me put together a few workouts and I successfully lost a weight. Now a baby latter I'm starting over ha ha, thus time though I have a treadmill at home.....we'll see how this goes. Good luck to you, just take it slow and don't get frustrated, remember slow and stay win the race.

Treadmill all the way...when you get a little more stamina, the elliptical is nice and produces lots of sweat :-) I lost 85 lbs using mostly my treadmill so I am a big big fan!

I would try all of them and see which one you like. Whichever one will keep you motivated and going back is the best one for you. I like the elliptical because I can read while I do it. My husband likes the bikes, but those just numb my butt. Good luck!

Usually when you join a gym or fitness center they have someone available to walk you through the equipment, make sure you know how to use everything properly and give you recommendations based on your goals and needs. Have you asked them?

There should be someone there to give you an orientation.

Some fitness centers will get you started by explaining how all the machines work, or you could look for a beginner class or a single session with a personal trainer.
For me, it was easiest to get started with the elliptical machine. I didn't have to adjust a seat like with the exercise bikes, and I didn't lose my balance like I did on the treadmill. I would do 30 minutes of that, at whatever slow speed I could handle, but stop if I felt dizzy. Then maybe some of the weight machines for my arms. I haven't been in a long time because the place I go doesn't have anything for my son to do.

i have a treadmill (haven't used the others) and i was so happy to find it's so EASY. it does 1/2 the work for you - the momentum part lol. if you're on it, you HAVE to be moving, no choice! so i like that :)

Give all of them a few minutes. Dont over do it or you will be SORE as heck. Try all of them and see what you like the best and concentrate on those. I'd treadmill to warm up, and then probably do the bike or elliptical.

Start by just walking on the treadmill. While you're on the treadmill, you can watch all the other people use the equipment and see if any of it interests you. But for now, using the treadmill and maybe the recumbent bicycle and elliptical machine are all you need to build a nice fitness base. If you are able to get your butt to the gym on a regular basis (I tend to think that's the hardest part), I'd say you're doing great :-) Good luck!

After my last pregnancy I HAD to hit the gym. And I started out with the treadmill. Its simple yet VERY effective.