Best Weight training option for newbie?

RillaMonsoon

Hi there. I am a 6'0 male at the front end of a long road of weight loss. Started MFP 1/8/14 and I'm currently teetering between 310-313, with a goal of being a ripped 200. I hurt my knee (dislocation) early this month by running too much. I guess it was too much weight for my knees to bear. It was disappointing because i was running 3 minutes walking 3 minutes for a half hour, and that was a huge accomplishment for me. So I'm back to walking 3-5 miles a day and counting my calories.

ANYWAY, I really feel like I need to start lifting weights to not make my weight loss so dependent on cardio. I was looking at hiring a personal trainer, but boy is it expensive and I think I found one priced very reasonably at $27/hr. I've also been shopping craigslist for used weights to consider putting them in my basement (Olympic weight set, bench, squat rack, 10-25 lbs dumbells) . I've also looked at Crossfit as an option, as it costs about 1/5 of what I would have to pay a personal trainer and 1/10 of the cost of building my own "used gym". I also have very limited experience with weights so I think having some professional training would be good.

One of my concerns is if I need to lose more weight before I seriously consider Crossfit? How much should a 6 foot male weigh before I start a training program like that?

I am also interested in whatever advice you would offer around how to start weight training, safely and economically.

Thanks in advance,

Rilla