Also check out www.3dbuzz.com
They do free training CDs for MAX, Maya and XSI. Just sign up and wait. They will show up. I got all of them so far.
These CDs are some what simplisitic, but do cover the basics, like the UI and basic modeling and such.
Its not a bad jump start. A little cheezy, but helps get people started. And its free even shipping.
GL
Vmpre