Free weights or machines?

I started on machines because my Planet Fitnesses (there were two about equal distance from my house) didn't have free weights, only one lone smith machine that was always occupied by a gaggle of kids doing bench press.

Once I realized how much I hated driving to the gym, and hated running on the treadmill even more, I quit the gym and got free weights for home, and only run outside now. Best. Decision. Ever.

These pics were taken just two months after I quit the gym:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

Check out Lorina!

I started in the same place you did - just need the machines.
But after doing some reading and looking at the results of everyone who uses free weights - I switched!
I started doing some random *kitten* dumbbell moves then switched to NROLFW then switched to Stronglifts.

I highly suggest switching to free weights - there are a bunch of pre-made routines.
There's a thread here with all of the info - I wish I had the URL but you can search for it, it's got "info" and "for beginners" in the title.

I agree with watching youtube form videos, practice without any weight, watch yourself in a mirror, and get a session or two with a trainer if you can. And if you've watched a lot of form videos and think you've got a decent handle on it, and someone at the gym doing the moves you want that match what you've watched online, wait for them to finish & just ask!

Both have their pros and cons.

Free weights: if you know what you're doing and have some practice, you benefit from these a lot more than machines.

a few PROS
- engage more muscles as most of the time you need to control and balance the weight.
- there are tons of exercises you can do with them.
- have an ability to work body parts individually, meaning, for example, left and right arms separately in dumbbell press, so you don't have the effect of the stronger side taking over.

CONS
- for some exercises, you do need a spotter (but this can also be avoided with power racks, dumbbells, etc)

Machines lock you in one plane of motion most of the time, and they take out the balancing completely. Yes, almost always you don't need a spotter, and they can be useful to learn a motion, but if you're not a dumbass, you can leave your ego at the door and concentrate on your form with an appropriately weighed dumbbells, learn your limits, and slowly works past them in a controlled fashion.

Not attempting to pitch a sale here but since I wasn't the only one to mention Starting Strength here's a link to the book we're talking about:

http://aasgaardco.com/store/store.php?crn=199&rn=413&action=show_detail

OP you answered your own question.

If everyone fit is using free weights.. why would you want to waste your time with machines?

I have an appointment with a trainer today to review the machines. Since I added running to my routine I am dropping weight again. I am hoping trading a day of cardio for strength traininng will help build more lean muscle and stop the excess weight loss.

I just started on Sunday with a personal trainer. I have no experience of using the machines or dumbells. He has started me on the machines and gave me a record of what to do and how many reps and weight to use at the end of it. He did say though that once I was used to it I will be getting moved off of the machines and its not a forever thing...whatever that means ha! He does have quite a bit of solid muscle himself, and to be fair, I was aching the next day, still am!. Just need to get the confidence to do it on my own today after work!

The reason trainers do this is because it's easy and safe, period. You don't have to teach technique and no one is going to hurt themselves doing a machine poorly. He's just trying to avoid putting effort into someone he thinks may not be in this for the long haul.

Jonny I am using about 6 machines 3 days a week, I also do insanity so I am hitting alot of the muscles that I am not hitting at the gym. Do you think it would acceptable to ask someone at the desk at the gym to show me or is that something I'd have to pay for? All they seem to do is laugh and text the entire time they are working anyways.

I have an appointment with one of the trainers at my gym today for a quick run through of the machines. If I need a more in depth training plan I will schedule a paid for personal training session.