Strength training - nautilus vs free weights?

Strength forum....

But as long as you asked...When using Nautilus your form is mainly dictated by the machine.  So it's hard (not impossible) to use the wrong form.

Also, your muscles don't know how the resistance is being applied.  Machines can give you the same results.  It's just that with free weights there is so much versatility and variety available that you usually don't find in machines.  It takes dozens of machines and hundreds of thousands of dollars for a gym to provide the same variety via machines so you won't usually find all the same options.

But for your purposes, and when doing circuits, the machines are fine.  Don't hesitate to continue with that program.

1 or 2 sessions with a personal trainer can be invaluable regardless.  They can show you a good routine, make sure you are doing things right, structing the sets correctly, they can advise you on frequency, weights, exercises, maybe diet.  Then you can go forward on your own knowing the routine is solid.

I've been working with a trainer for a few months now.  Early on we used a few machines, but other than the lat pulldown, he rarely has me use the machines anymore.  Lately he has me doing HITT (High Intensity Interval Training), kettlebells, and Olympic style lifting or whatever he finds laying around. 

I call him the opportunist because he'll have me use whatever someone else has left out.  "Oh where did this jump rope come from, OK give me 30sec."  or "Somebody left some TRX straps out, let's use them."  It keeps it interesting since it makes for more variety.  I hate the HITT because it kills me.  

This.  Provided you either study up a lot or get a competent trainer/friend to make sue you don't injure yourself with poor form.

Nautilus or Free Weights??

I'd say that the best answer is simply: Yes. 

Do a mix of both.  Yes, you can do all of everything with one or the other, but they both have their positives and negatives, they each have a place... so why short change yourself with a narrow one-or-the-other view??

As for the trainer part... I'd highly recommend it.  Go talk to a good, certified trainer and tell that what your goals are, and how much time you are able to devote to it (hours per day, and days per week) and then have them put together a workout regimen for you.  

One of the best things I ever did was do exactly that with my trainer... and he created a great plan for me that met my goals.  We changed up the regimen every three months (and still do) to keep the body guessing. 

As for form... hopefully, the gym you go to has trainers that are attentive enough to offer unsolicited advice on form when they see it happening.  It keeps their clients uninjured and they get more results from their workouts.  

During a workout with my trainer, he pointed out someone doing deadlifts and asked me,"What's he doing wrong?"  It made me cringe, it was a back problem waiting to happen.  He went over to tell him how to do it properly, but the dude blew him off.