About the join the gym....help!

If you are training toward a performance goal, then the answers would be different from what I'm about to write, which is based on losing body fat while retaining muscle.

In the beginning, when you are just learning, there's nothing wrong with using machines. They will help you get the rough idea of what the exercises are supposed to feel like and remove the worry of dropping the weight on yourself when you are still learning.

It might sound extreme, but if you are there for the first time, you could start at one end of the row of machines and do a set or two on each machine. There will be multiple machines that work a muscle group. Find the machine for each group that you like. They will all help you to get stronger.

Don't be afraid to lift heavier weights that feel kind of hard. Unless you are taking steroids, you won't look like a body builder. If you are doing a classic 3 sets of 10, your muscle should be pretty uncomfortable by the last repetition of each exercise. (there are almost limitless possibilities for numbers of sets and reps and I won't go into that this time)

Once you have the moves down, give dumbbells a shot. They help you build a little more balance, which requires a little more core strength. Yes, they will give you better results (by a couple of %, not by huge leaps and bounds). No, you don't have to do them right away (or exclusively.... you can do some free weights and some machines)

There's no one exercise you can do that will firm up any body part. The real goal is to drop your body fat percentage, which means exposing the muscle that you have underneath.

Some people do cardio only days and lifting only days. Some people mix them up. It depends on what you are doing. If you are planning on doing intervals, I would not lift on the same day. You're going to be tired and won't be able to lift as much. Also, if you plan to do a long workout (like an hour run), I would not lift on the same day. Again, you're going to be tired going into lifting. If you are thinking of doing a 15 to 30 minute run to warm up, then go ahead and do both.

For cardio, I'd recommend that you start looking at your time, not your distance. It's a totally different psychological approach and encourages you to go farther as you get fitter. It's also easier to plan and schedule. Like most people, I'm guessing that you know you have 30 minutes or an hour that you can spend working out.

More than anything, going to the gym and getting in solid exercise on a regular basis is the most important part.

Get a personal trainer, even if just for a few sessions. Well worth it.

Ive been through it..the nerves, fear of free weights.

dont be afraid.

SMASH things at the gym
here are 2 simple programs...easy to understand
youtube mark rippetoe videos for form.

SQUAT SQUAT SQUAT.

http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs

New Rules of Lifting for Women is also good, but a little more complicated routine wise.

OH...and i prefer to do my cardio on the days i do not lift.

I like to do some type of cardio every day (even if you just walk, do at least 20 minutes, just because your heart thanks you!). Then I usually alternate my upper body and lower body strength training each day, making sure to include a day or two of rest throughout the week.

For upper body try doing 3 moves of pulling and 3 of pushing, 3 sets of 10 each"

For push movements - Try doing assisted tricep dips (ask someone at the gym where the machine is, and you can figure out how much weight assistance works for you), shoulder presses, and push-ups or chest presses.

For pulling movements - Try doing upright rows, assisted pull-ups (this is the same machine as you'll use for tricep dips), and tricep pulls

For lower body try doing dead lifts (also great for your abs), squats, lunges, step-ups, and side lunges (great for that annoying inner-thigh)

The gym isn't as scary as it seems at first - and everyone who works there will be more than happy to help you and show you the different machines! Once you're comfortable and have figured out a routine, you'll really enjoy your workouts! It also might not be a terrible idea to hire a trainer for a couple sessions just to get a feel for a variety of movements and workouts. Good luck!!

it depends on your goal me I did not have any personal trainer do my diet or training I watched videos on youtube and tried with lighter weights it was a learning curve with mistakes on the way im still learning. I think its best to try and make mistakes so i can improve.
Go online do research it will pay you of in big ways.