So I signed up to a gym some time ago, and I go from time to time to do cardio. Although I haven't done anything for like a month now
And one of the main reasons I signed up was for strength training, but I don't get the machines at all. It's a barebones gym, and as such really cheap and the closest, but no trainer or anybody to help

I was considering just trying them in the dark, but some of them look pretty dangerous if done wrong (>o<) *thinks about leg press disasters*

And I'm pretty embarassed to look like an idiot while trying them out, hence why I haven't done so already...

But it's not like I have a choice.. right...

In my opinion, yes, the machines CAN be hurt you. However, the nice thing about the machines is you can't really make a wrong movement. They're designed without flexibility.

I do not know how to explain myself, so I'm going to start again.

Basically if you feel pain, different from sore, you don't want to use that machine. I'm prone to shoulders problems, so I stay away from those machines for shoulder movements. I've also heard that you should not do any exercises that bring your arms back behind your head on a machine.

I wouldn't worry too much about the machines, unless you feel pain either while doing the movements or the next day. Just start out easy and I'm sure you'll be fine. Does the gym have free weights? It's harder to hurt yourself with free weights.

Do you know anyone at all who is a veteran to that gym or any other gym to show you the ropes? Eventhough the machines are sort of self explanatory you need someone to show you around. I've seen people at the gym sit the wrong way on a machine and they could've totally wrenched their backs out, not a good thing...

The person who signed you up could he/she now show you around a bit... Also if you know the name of the machine you could google it. Another suggestion is to use the free weights they are better than machines IMHO...

Keep uus posted on your progress

If you see somebody using a machine you are interested in, can you ask him/her (after that person is done) how to use the machine correctly, if seeing the person exercise does not suffice? Most people would be very willing to help out. I have done this myself without feeling embarrassed or anything. We all have to learn somehow.