I have recently joined a gym (two months or so ago) and have been going 2-5 times a week. I have defiantly become significantly stronger however i still have some questions and many machines i have no idea how to use.

Ill apologies in advance for any obvious or stupid questions i ask. First off i am a male, 17 years, 58kg, 173cm tall and although i am getting stronger i'm not building much muscle, what are the basics for building some muscle? more reps or less at higher intensities?

I also don't know the correct techniques for working my side abs (obliques?). What machines or sitting positions should i use?

Before anyone tells me to google my questions, i would just like to say that i appreciate the advice of totseans who know what they are doing and know what works over any random info i find on the net.

Cheers

You shouldn't be using machines at all. Stick to free weights and heavy sets of 5 reps.

If you're not getting bigger, it means you're not eating enough.

__________________
Don't blame me, I voted for Ron Paul.

can i ask why i shouldn't use machines? I reason i use them is because they are quick: sit down, use, get up, next exercise. At the moment i have been doing 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

If you're going to rush your work out it seems barely worth doing it, especially on a machine.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/s.../aa050702a.htm
Free weights vs machines. ^

Thanks, that was really interesting. Just to clear things up, i don't "rush" my work out i just don't like to waist time adding and removing weights. I also don't think someone of my seriousness should be invading the steroid junkie territory with my meager 55kg bench press abilities.

Ok so I'm the same age and I have similar stature and weight as the OP. Could someone tell me about the basic safety measures that I should use on free weights?
I only do machines at the moment because I'm scared of getting injured with free weights.
All suggestions are appreciated, thanks.

Use free weights. Doesn't really matter how much you use if you want to bulk up, but make sure you progressively increase your workload. You also need a surplus of calories, so eat more.

Safety concern is if you can't easily drop the weight if you get tired, use a spotter.

Thanks

You're obviously not very experianced
i did lol at the roids joke though..

if your in a gym, you really ought to have a trainer there who is willing to show you how to work the machines, but free weights are better, they allow more variation in excercise's

Try eating a high protein low fat diet for putting on muscle.. whats your diet like anyways?

Whenever I do a new exercise I use extremely light weights (5-10 lbs.) and practice perfect form. Then I move up to what should be a light weight. Then to whatever intensity I need.

Bad form can and will hurt you. Also, it's cheating.