Ask the staff to give you a tour, walk perimeter etc, use a long cane or an id cane. I think weights are often tactually labeled.
It sounds like a potentially dangerous environment given all the moving machines and free weights. Be careful out there, im sure it will be great and rewarding.

Call them up and figure out a good time to go down when it's quiet, and get the tour. That way they won't be agitating to get back to whatever else they're doing.

If you've never been to a gym before, or at least not for a while, you'll want to get some advice about what you should be doing and maybe figure out a program of stuff to do anyway, so anyone would normally approach the staff and ask that question.

I go twice a week plus I go running and I think staying in shape is a really good way to make anything else you have to deal with a lot easier.

im just legally blind, but I was worried about finding the right machines also... One time someone went with me and helped me figure a few out... Then because of the virus they rearranged everything, but I luckily found them again on my own.

But like someone said... assuming the staff isn't the most incompetent ever, they should help you find what you would want.

Definitely speak with the employees at the front desk and see how much assistance they will offer you. Get to know the layout etc. I've had a home gym for years and went with sighted assistance before that, so I never went alone, but I've considereed what would be my limitations if I ever went on my own. If you're interested in strength training, do your best to grab a squat rack, that would be your best bet. Completely accesible, just gotta find the weights which are almost always tactile, and you'll be able to identify them in no time. Most machines don't require much in terms of sight, just feel for adjustable areas on the seats and watch out for the moving parts lol. Dumbbells might be kind of difficult since that area can be kind of high traffic and it can be difficult to find two matching dumbbells, I haven't really figured that part out either.

I go to my local gym regularly. I mostly use free weights because it's much easier to load the correct weight. Plates are different sizes depending on weight, so it's easy to go on feel. As for dumbbells, they are often arranged in order, so I often just count. With machines, I mostly just feel for the holes. I can definitely say having your cane visible is the best icebreaker. Most regulars are often friendly & are willing to help newbies. This was my experience when I had visited another gym for the first time.

Do it! The gym is great. Although it can be difficult from an access standpoint to start, don’t be discouraged and stick at it. Here are my tips/personal preferences.

1. As previously mentioned feel free to ask the staff for assistance. They’re always happy to help. If you need a small favour like finding a matching dumbbell or something you can always ask another gym goer if they’re close to you and not in the middle of a set of course. The gym is a good place to meet people too if you’re that way inclined.
2. Don’t sleep on machines. There seems to be this trend of downplaying how effective machines are vs free weights but as a person with sight loss you’ll want to take advantage of them. They’re safe so you can train hard without being too concerned about injury and pin loaded weights are very easy to adjust.
3. That being said. Don’t be afraid to do free weights. Take the time to learn the correct form and practice.
4. Go for high volume and do fewer exercises. I don’t like to move around from station to station after 2 or 3 sets. Constantly trying to find the next station, then finding the weights, then adjusting the bench or whatever, then setting up the weights gets annoying after a wile. I prefer to do a hand full of lifts but do around 4 to 5 sets to minimise my set up time.
5. Find a smaller gym. I don’t like these big mega gyms. They’re to hard to navigate.

Hope this helps.

If you can afford it, maybe a personal trainer or exercise physio?

Thanks folks for everyone’s response!!! I super appreciate it! :-)
You’re right, I’ll start asking the front desk for help until I get a little bit more comfortable with the layout. I also like the suggestion of using machines rather than free weights because I won’t have to do as much moving around

So I have a local gym that I go to. I like running on the treadmill, and biking on the stationary bike and climbing the eliptical stair and rowing the rowing machine.

For the weight lifting machines I have to have someone spot me.

I also know some stretches like sit-ups push-ups that type of thing, but I don't do those as often as I should. I like going on long neighbourhood walks.

It's natural to be nervous at first, but just know that everyone is there for the exact same reason as you, so if anyone is judging you for wanting to get in shape, then they're a shitty person. Second, if would definitely help trying to learn the area at a less busy time; navigating around heavy weight if you don't know the area is extremely dangerous. However, I'm sure that a trainer of the gym would be happy to assist you; that's what I did at my university weight room. Hope this helps!