Okay so i am going to go to the gym tomorrow to sign up and everything. I Know that cardio and strength training are very essential. I try to read up on it but its all like "in your face" mess that needs to be broken down so i will get help with that a little. What i want to know is What types of strength training moves are good for a beginner and should i do strength training without weights, cardio, then weight training? i think once i get the jist of it ill be able to get a hold of it. It would mean a lot if i got a lot of opinions. thanks so much [(as you can see ive been on the banwagon and i havent gotten off ..]

Does the gym you're signing up at have fitness classes? My gym has a weight class that is perfect for beginners. Or, maybe they could offer you one complimentary session with a personal trainer to show you how to use the equipment and give you an idea of how to incorporate the weights into your routine. I'm sure others here will give you lots of advise if those are not options. I do 60min of strength training 3x per week and I alternate my cardio/strength days. But that's just me...I'm sure there are many variations. Good luck!

Although this thread we stickied was for someone at home, it still applies to a beginner in the gym:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/weig...ning-home.html

Basically, I highly recommend reading of http://www.stumptuous.com. Highly

+ 1 on the recommendation to read stumptuous.com. I also think it's a good idea to get a trainer to show you around, but you have to be careful here: there are a lot of trainers, particularly at the chain commercial gyms, who don't know what they are talking about and give advice that is not only wrong but dangerous. ("The Smith machine is better for your knees!")

You might peruse a copy of New Rules of Lifting for Women or Rachel Cosgrove's book or Body for Life as a kind of second opinion for your trainer. But books won't help you learn your way around your gym as efficiently as a trainer.

//b. strong,
Kim