First of all - you can do this! All that intimidation is just in your head.. but as you said, it can still be very scary (and even if it's just in your head, it's keeping you from the weight room).

So, here are some things that helped me. Pick a day to go at a relatively quiet time so you won't have to experiment with weights while also feeling rushed. Then, head in to the weight room and wander around until you see one exercise that you feel comfortable starting with (perhaps step ups? they only require a step and weights - and a mirror). Once you're set up, take your time with this first exercise (I know the program has "rules" but this is your first time, it's okay to be a little slow). While you are working your way through the first exercise, look around the room and plan your next move - if you can spot the squat rack, watch someone use it! Then move from exercise to exercise at a slow pace and try your hand at each of them until you get a feel for the movement and weights. Then in a few days, do the same for Workout B. Think of your first week as easing in..If you need to add another week to the end (to get the full sets/reps in, do it. It's equally important that you are building your confidence, while you build those muscles

The squat rack looks sorta like a "clothing rack" for weights. You'll see what looks like ladders on either side, and then a long metal bar resting on one of the rungs. You'll adjust this based on your height before starting. Then load whatever weights you think you can handle, and get into position (step underneath, rest bar on your shoulders) and rotate the bar slightly to "unlock" it from it's rung. Once you do one squat, you'll see how simple it is to use.

Good luck

You are not alone. I am going through the same thing today. I've read the book twice. I have my workout sheets printed out. Gym bag is packed. Scared half to death to tackle the squat rack on my own.

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and go do it. If I look like an idiot, maybe someone will be kind enough to help me. Then, once my form is good, I can change gyms. J/K

When I first started lifting years ago, I watched a lot of videos so that I was familiar with the weights/machines and to gain a little more knowledge in proper form and how to do certain lifts.