Proven Method to Gain Strength
In case you haven't heard of the Starting Strength model, I highly recommend checking it out. Mark Rippetoe authored the book Starting Strength which is based on his tried and true method of basic barbel training.
Here is a video series introducing and explaining the lifts:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmBX1JVbyAgZ0_nr6e3PFHNfpzK7Eo5lm
Mark's channel can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AasgaardCo
If you like what you see, stop just messing around in the gym and buy his book. I wish I had done so years ago.