hi mate.i joined the gym last week and i have to admit its one of the best things ive done.i feel so much better already.im getting obsessed with it now tho.every where seems to be roughly £30 a month membership,il be doing it 3-4 times a week tho so well worth it.my diet now consists of
breakfast.one of the following
3 weetabix
porridge with raisins
scrambled egg on wholemeal bread

lunch.
tuna and boiled rice

dinner.one of the following
baked potatoe
steak
fish
chicken
pasta

i also make sure i get fruit throughout the day as snacks and a handfull of nuts.cashew etc.
after the gym i have a whey protein shake with half a banana blended in also.
i allow myself on saturdays to eat some not so good food like a couple cream scones etc but thats it.i lost half a stone on weightwatchers before going on to this diet as im now 12.5 stone and a good shape to start building muscle.
oh and regarding the machines.you will have to do an induction at your gym so you can ask the instructors what you want from it also