New To Gym...Best Machines to use to aid weight loss?

I am by no means an expert, but I'll tell you what has been working for me. I started about 3-4 months ago.

I started by going in and getting on a treadmill, just set the thing at a pace where I would get an elevated heartrate and break a sweat. After the first week of doing that for 30 minutes at a crack, I jumped it up to an hour each time (or 45 mins, depending on how l was sitting for time). Then, after that I would do a set of crunches/situps.

I kept this up for about another 2 weeks, so now I was about 3 weeks in. That is when I added strength exercises. I started like on the treadmill, with just a few basics (grabbed some dumbells and did some curls), then got on the machines and did some basic presses, upright rows, tricep extensions, leg presses, leg curls and leg extensions. I rotate so that I get 2 days of upper body lifting, 2 days of lower body, and 1-2 days focusing on abdominals each week.

Good luck, and just take what people on here say or suggest, and make your schedule one that YOU like and that YOU will stick with. Just my own opinion, but start slowly and work into it. Everytime I've tried to go "all in" all at once in the early days, I end up getting frustrated and drop out within a couple of months. This is the long haul, and you will get there.

Also, I learned to not weigh in for the whole first month, because its tooo easy to get frustrated when you have a 5 lb loss one week, and a 1 lb gain the next (which seems to happen to me a lot in the early stages when I have a lot to lose). After the first month or two, I've found that I tend to even out more, and its easier to handle the no-loss weeks when you see yourself looking better in the mirror and being able to last longer in the gym and push yourself harder.

Again.....just my two cents

For me personally the machines get boring really fast. So I try to do 15 to 20 minutes on the eliptical, then the treadmill and lastely the stationary bike. You might want to try a group exercise class, too. They are fun and really help motivate me! If you don't have one, get yourself an MP3 player, music really helps you keep moving on the machines. Best of luck to you!

Before going, check this out to make sure you're eating enough: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

then, if possible meet with a personal trainer there (most gyms let you meet a trainer free once or twice) and have them show you the machines. Most machines have pictures on them of which muscles they'll work and how to use them. If they don't, ask someone you using it (most people will help, as long as you don't ask while they're in the middle of a rep)

If you don't have any knees issues give the Stepmill a try. It's the best cardio machine out there IMO. The one at my Rec Center is never used - I think people are afraid of it. LOL

Someone also mentioned Spin Class which is a great workout and a lot of fun. The biggest thing is finding something YOU like to do. If you enjoy doing something, then you'll stick with it.

I am by no means an expert, but I'll tell you what has been working for me. I started about 3-4 months ago.

I started by going in and getting on a treadmill, just set the thing at a pace where I would get an elevated heartrate and break a sweat. After the first week of doing that for 30 minutes at a crack, I jumped it up to an hour each time (or 45 mins, depending on how l was sitting for time). Then, after that I would do a set of crunches/situps.

I kept this up for about another 2 weeks, so now I was about 3 weeks in. That is when I added strength exercises. I started like on the treadmill, with just a few basics (grabbed some dumbells and did some curls), then got on the machines and did some basic presses, upright rows, tricep extensions, leg presses, leg curls and leg extensions. I rotate so that I get 2 days of upper body lifting, 2 days of lower body, and 1-2 days focusing on abdominals each week.

Good luck, and just take what people on here say or suggest, and make your schedule one that YOU like and that YOU will stick with. Just my own opinion, but start slowly and work into it. Everytime I've tried to go "all in" all at once in the early days, I end up getting frustrated and drop out within a couple of months. This is the long haul, and you will get there.

Also, I learned to not weigh in for the whole first month, because its tooo easy to get frustrated when you have a 5 lb loss one week, and a 1 lb gain the next (which seems to happen to me a lot in the early stages when I have a lot to lose). After the first month or two, I've found that I tend to even out more, and its easier to handle the no-loss weeks when you see yourself looking better in the mirror and being able to last longer in the gym and push yourself harder.

Again.....just my two cents

^^^^ This

I went in with the same mentality. My first couple of weeks in my gym were 30 min trips, just to sweat a little and get an elevated heart rate. Then I slowly added in the strength training based "i can do this" trying different things. Eventually I read the book "The New Rules of Lifting" (yes there is womens version) which essentially tells you that there are 6 basic functions you need to live. As long as you train those functions, you will be good.

I am by no means an expert, but I'll tell you what has been working for me. I started about 3-4 months ago.

I started by going in and getting on a treadmill, just set the thing at a pace where I would get an elevated heartrate and break a sweat. After the first week of doing that for 30 minutes at a crack, I jumped it up to an hour each time (or 45 mins, depending on how l was sitting for time). Then, after that I would do a set of crunches/situps.

I kept this up for about another 2 weeks, so now I was about 3 weeks in. That is when I added strength exercises. I started like on the treadmill, with just a few basics (grabbed some dumbells and did some curls), then got on the machines and did some basic presses, upright rows, tricep extensions, leg presses, leg curls and leg extensions. I rotate so that I get 2 days of upper body lifting, 2 days of lower body, and 1-2 days focusing on abdominals each week.

Good luck, and just take what people on here say or suggest, and make your schedule one that YOU like and that YOU will stick with. Just my own opinion, but start slowly and work into it. Everytime I've tried to go "all in" all at once in the early days, I end up getting frustrated and drop out within a couple of months. This is the long haul, and you will get there.

Also, I learned to not weigh in for the whole first month, because its tooo easy to get frustrated when you have a 5 lb loss one week, and a 1 lb gain the next (which seems to happen to me a lot in the early stages when I have a lot to lose). After the first month or two, I've found that I tend to even out more, and its easier to handle the no-loss weeks when you see yourself looking better in the mirror and being able to last longer in the gym and push yourself harder.

Again.....just my two cents

^^^
Good advice, keep it slow and fun at first especially. I find that my Heart Rate Monitor keeps me going back.

Eat at a deficit and look for this machine at your gym

Take it slow at first so you don't get discouraged. Walking on the treadmill is good. The elliptical is nice too - there's no impact so it doesn't hurt your knees. Even a stationary bike is fine (I find it boring though). Stairmasters are tougher and harder on knees, as is running.

Whatever you choose to do, play around with mixing up your intensity - either by a preset "program" or manually. It helps keep things interesting and makes for a better workout. You can do "intervals" where you go faster for a bit, then go slow again. It helps get your heart-rate up and improve your fitness level.

I enjoy creating different playlists for my iPod to help deal with the boredom. Also, set goals for yourself... you can put all your info (weight, age, etc) and it will calculate your calorie burn. My goal is 500 calories. Maybe you can start at 300 calories and see how you feel. It's fun to try to achieve your goal.

I totally agree with everyone who is saying get your diet right first. When I counted how many calories I was eating, I discovered I was eating nearly 2,000 more calories than I should be eating. It was a eye-opening moment for me. Since then I've lost 35 pounds. I try not to eat back the calories I burn at the gym - I like to think that the exercise is just burning away fat! But there are days when things don't quite go as planned and I eat too much, and then I have the exercise "buffer" to help me still reach my calorie goal for the day.

It is absolutely amazing how good you'll feel after a few weeks. Many people start like crazy and then quit after a week or two. Stick with it for a month or so, and you'll start feeling so much better. After that it becomes fun! I miss my workout if I don't make it to the gym.

Good luck!

Rower

Besides being a better workout than any other cardio machine, no one ever uses them, so they are always open!

I love the row machine, one of the best workouts out there! Hop on that sucker for 10 minutes and your whole body will be burning. I also did some fitness classes like body sculpt, cardio kickboxing, and after a few months spinning. If you have the money maybe start with a trainer who will teach you how to use all the equipment in an effective manner?? Best of luck!

and of course my gym doesn't have a rower