Make the question smaller
'I do not know what I am doing' may be an honest description, but it gives a busy instructor little information about where to begin. Point to the machine or task and identify the part you need help with. You might need to know how a seat unlocks, whether a room can be used or how to book an induction.
Ask at a moment when the staff member is available. If they are supervising someone else, wait or ask reception who can help. Interrupting an instruction session can distract both people, and the person you approach may not be responsible for that part of the facility.
If your question requires more than a brief explanation, ask for the right appointment. An equipment introduction, a programme consultation and personal training can have different booking arrangements and costs. Clarifying the service prevents a hurried exchange from being mistaken for a complete session.
Ask to see, then check your understanding
When a control is unfamiliar, a demonstration is often easier to follow than a description from across the room. Ask the instructor to show the actual machine. Watch which part they move and in what order. If several adjustments are involved, go through them separately rather than trying to memorise a rapid sequence.
Explain back the point you are unsure about. 'So this number records the seat position, not the resistance?' allows a misunderstanding to be corrected immediately. You are not wasting time by checking a detail that affects whether you can use the equipment as shown.
Say when you cannot hear or see the explanation. Moving to the other side of the machine or reducing background distraction may solve the problem. If you need a different communication format, ask about it directly. Staff cannot reliably infer what makes an explanation accessible for you.
Keep the answer in reach
Write down a short reminder after the demonstration, especially if the equipment has several settings. Include the machine name so the note remains meaningful. Avoid recording people without permission; a simple written description may be sufficient.
If you later discover that the explanation was incomplete, ask again with the new information. 'The pin does not seem to engage at the setting we used' is a different question from forgetting where the pin is. Stop using equipment that behaves unexpectedly and let staff decide what needs checking.
You do not need to become familiar with every station at once. A few clear answers about the equipment you actually intend to use can be more helpful than a tour that leaves you with a list of half-remembered instructions.