I totally sympathise. That gym intimidation factor is huge! All the machines look alike, and if you are not familiar with circuit machines, you don't have ANY clue where to start. A brief (or TOO detailed) orientation just ain't gonna stick in any meaningful way. Here're some basics to help you sort out all the info you have sloshing around in your head, although I am by NO MEANS an expert:
(1) There are many many ways of strength training--some people use circuit machines (those anonymous, all-look-alike machines), others free weights (dumbbells). A lot of people use some of both. I use free weights for my triceps, for example, bcs I find it is more effective for me than the machines.
(2) Also people schedule their workouts differently--some folks tend to work one body part each day of the week like that fellow told you, usu with a rest day, like Abs-legs-back-chest-arms or something like that, whereas others work upper body one day, lower body the next. I think the more "serious" people do one body part a week. But I think that is pretty time-consuming, meaning you are lifting almost every day. Does that fit into your schedule? As a beginner, it may be smart to structure a workout you can AND WILL do...one that is easy to remember, and not too painful/unpleasant. You can alays add more circuit machines, etc later on, after you have gotten the basic routine down.
(3) Pretty much everyone agrees that you should lift before doing cardio (partly bcs you could hurt yourself if you lift after you are tired from cardio).
(4) You should do cardio on an empty stomach (like 2-3 hours after eating at least), to reach into your fat reserves.
(5) A beginner's lifting routine would be 3 "sets" of 8-12 "reps" on each machine (meaning you lift the weight 8-12 times, rest for about a minute, and then repeat that twice, with a minute rest in between each "set"). Reps are more important than how much weight you are lifting--but the most important of all is FORM--HOW you lift the weight (for example, slow and steady, NOT pumping away in quick little moves...there should be no jerkiness, that's just hell on your joints and doesn't do anything for your muscles).
I agree with what people here have already said so eloquently: You should call the gym and schedule a proper orientation--they would MUCH rather instruct you than have you hurt yourself on a machine, absolutely! Maybe it would be helpful to write down a list of body parts to work (there are multiple machines for each body part, it's really redundant and confusing), and bring the list with you, then make notations somehow so that you can remember which machine is which. If the machines are numbered, write the number down; if not, write down the "title" of the machine (there is always a sticker on the machine with the title of the equipment and a description of the body part/s it works, etc), or its location ("near the stairs") if you are desperate and there are no other distinguishing features.
You might want to start with a schedule like this one:
M, W, F lifting then 20-30 min cardio
Tu, Th, Sa just 20-30 min cardio
Sunday rest
where lifting= whole body (upper+lower, short routine for each)
OR
M, W F upper body lifting before 20-30 min cardio
Tu, Th, Sa lower-body lifting before 20-30 min cardio
Sunday rest
OR you can just lift upper body twice a week and lower body twice a week--whatever works in your schedule! It's true that if you do very intense lifting regimens for each muscle group (multiple machines, for example, and free weights) then you should only work the muscle group once in a week--but really, can you keep track of all that mess? I couldn't. Get the basics down first!
The muscles you should address with a VERY basic lifting routine: Chest, deltoids, biceps, triceps, quads, hams. I am purposely leaving off (1) Abs, bcs I am thinking to KIS, and for abs I do crunches and side crunches on a bench without any weights *ABS ARE CRUCIAL THOUGH* I just dont think you need a machine to work them (2) back, bcs I think back machines can be difficult to use and dangerous if not done properly. if you want to do a back machine the "row" is a good, easy one for the upper back and the "pulldown" (also easy to figure out) is good for the trapezius (3) leg abductors and adductors--those machines i think are pointless; spot reduction doesn't work! if we have fat on our thighs we need to diet/cardio it off! And if you increase the size of the inner thigh muscle, it will make your thigh look WIDER
(4)Butt/gluteus--I think "squats" and "lunges" are best for those, although the "donkey kick" kind of butt machine (where you are on all fours and kick out a plate behind you, pressing with your foot) is good I think too...but trying to KIS here. (5) calves--KIS again
I would choose one machine for each basic body part and just memorise those: that makes maybe six machines to memorise. You should work the body parts from big muscle to little muscle, ie: Chest--deltoids--biceps--triceps...because the big muscles help the little muscles and if you have fatigued the big muscles you can concentrate on the little muscles... Abs can be done first or last--some folks use them to "warm the body up"--and should be treated as a muscle group (ie, don't work them every day, give them a rest period too).
After you have that down, you can consider adding a machine here or there (or changing out the pectoral "fly" press for the incline chest press, for instance).
it's okay to carry a card/sheet of paper with you to remind you what's what (also to remind you which weights you are able to lift with each machine).
You shouldn't need to PAY for instruction on the machines--it's not a part of personal training, it's a part of your GYM MEMBERSHIP DUES. So don't feel bad asking them for help! Showing you how to use the machines is in their job description.
Good luck! I wish you lived near me, so I could just show you myself. I totally understand what this feeling is like--it really held me back from the gym for a long time until I just bit the bullet and scheduled time with a member of the gym staff to show me. What, are we
born knowing this stuff? Um...no.
Happy new year and congrats on your new resolve!!
Lucy