How did you learn to use weights?

youtube videos are FREE and readily available...

also, many people in the gym will help... you can also ask the workers int he gym to show you how to properly use a machine, dont need a personal trainer for that

A lot of reading

^^^ This.

There are plenty more people on here who know much more than I do, but when I was trying to figure stuff out I generally looked into how to perform each exercise that I was planning to do and also good form... Would videos like these help? http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Google/Youtube/Forum stalking.

I'm doing the 5x5 Stronglift program.

Bodybuilding.com has videos that demo how to do things. You can search my muscle group or they have a "Find A Plan" section where you can get routines to do. I did the Jamie Eason Live Fit and lost a good bit. That one is a 12-week program..

I found YouTube videos from more serious uploaders, there are lots of pages with good instructions to read - VERY important; I learnt to feel/see the difference between good and bad form even if I work out at home.

Started lifting before the internet was readily available. I read and had a friend that was very big into body building. He had tons of books too.

My dad taught me when I was a teenager. He wanted to get in shape and I needed to as well. He took me to the gym at his work (free) with him when he knew there wouldn't be a lot of people there. He showed me how to use the machines and gave tips occasionally. Some machines were more difficult to adjust to fit me properly because I'm so short (5foot--the chest press ones never "fit" me--not because of my chest, but because you're supposed to press straight out and for me it becomes up and out instead), but others I found I really enjoyed. Most machines have pictures on them that show how to use them and what muscle groups they target, so they were easy to figure out.

I fell out of it when we stopped going and when I went to college. I walked so much on campus that I didn't really gain--until I moved off campus. I gained living off campus because I didn't walk as much and I didn't eat as well.

Then my schedule changed and I ended up with 1-2 hours to kill in the middle of my M, W, F days on campus but I didn't want to leave campus. (Finding parking for afternoon classes is impossible. I didn't want to give up my nice morning parking spot.) Instead of leaving campus for lunch, I ended up killing time at the campus gym. SO would meet me there, even though he only had T, Th, F classes.

I remembered the things my dad had taught me and just did whatever I wanted/felt like I needed to do. I hated running, but always did 15-20 minutes of that first because I knew it's good for your heart. Then I basically did at least one machine for each muscle group. Machines I enjoyed (like the lat pull down, or the ab crunch I often spent a little extra time on). I gradually increased the weight on each machine over time. I liked the pull down even though I often had to jump to initially grab the bar--prompting chuckles from anyone watching me. So would spend the whole time on the elliptical, alternation between watching TV and me.

After gym, SO would drive us over to Wendy's or we'd head to the cafeteria, and then he'd drop me off back on campus for my afternoon classes.

That's the last time I really felt healthy and fit. SO (now hubby) was in a lot better shape then too. I gained after college, thanks to high stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise. I tried a gym in the "real world" but it was a hassle to go there and I never felt like I fit in. Having a buddy (dad then SO) was nice. I was more consistent then.

My goal is now to get back to where I was then. Right now I've been having success with walking/jogging and counting calories. I know to take it to the next level and really make progress though, I'll need to find a way to strength train effectively at home. As of this past week, I've been paying myself $1 per mile with the intention of maybe treating myself to a Total Gym by the end of the year. I made $4 each day this week so far. Assuming $800 for a purchase from Amazon, it will take me about 200 days.

Alternative to the equipment, I'd like a puppy.

I took a weight training class at a local college. cheaper than a personal trainer and you learn a lot.

Crossfit with proper trainers. I'd taken a course in college, and used nautilus since high school, but at Crossfit I learned the true value of free weights and how to do things like proper deadlifts and weighted squats without damaging myself. But they weren't just crossfit trainers, they were proper physical trainers with a lot of impressive credentials. I had a severe back injury when I started, so I did my homework. They got me strong not only without injury, but taught me the moves to stay injury free.

Read up, watch videos, but don't doubt the value of an educated and relaxed eye watching you move. It will catch things your maxed out, wobbly, uneducated eye will miss in the mirror.

Lots of reading and research. When I was ready to take the plunge, I bought the book "The New Rules of Lifting for Women." Great book, great program. To achieve the greatest benefits you do need a gym membership. There's a group of women here on MFP that follow this program. It provides great support. Here's the link:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

Here's another general one for women:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training

Congratulations on making the wise decision to incorporate strength training into your fitness plan! You won't be sorry.