Beginner at the gym who needs some guidance

A lot of gyms include a session with a trainer. They will talk with you about your goals and set you up with a plan and show you how to use the equipment properly. If your gym includes this - take advantage of it!! One gym I belonged to would even give me a new routine every 6 to 8 weeks (included with my membership!). Ask about it.

Free weights are excellent for weight loss. Retain muscle while you lose fat.

Basically weight loss is all about caloric deficit and your body is very smart. To make this understandable basically your body will not burn 'fat' straight away, it will first hit your carbohydrate storage so that is from your blood then your tissue. By maintaining a caloric deficit and right amount of macronutrients, your body will have to depend on some of your stored fats for anabolic process to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy.

Remember a pound of fat is approximately 3500 calories, for a healthy caloric deficit, do not go 500 calories under your TDEE.

As for workouts, do weight lifting high intensity to become toned, this will show as fat shreds and as for cardio, try looking up HIIT, it's more efficient and fat burning than steady pace cardio.

Any questions feel free to add and message me always willing to help fellow fitnesspal

Bodybuilder.com