exercise equipment

my personal experience is to NOT own expensive gym equipment.  I had an elliptical machine that I dragged to 3 different apartments.  it "kinda" got used.  mostly it just became furniture, or an interesting sculpture.

I have a gym available to me where I work (a university), and most of the time I don't even use that.  I think if it had more classes I'd be inclined, but for now I walk and run outside.  

I would favor the gym membership, and find one that is IN your way.  and pick times to go that you can treat like appointments.

thanks for the help, it's off to the gym today to take a look and check out my options. I guess i just feel a bit weird sweating in front of people, but this trip is all about me and im willing to to what ever it takes to get my life back.  besides if I can't serve as an inspiration I can at least be a personal warning to others

So i mentioned earlier my gym is at a University.  bunch of cute 20 year olds, a few random professors, and me.  I used to worry about being the fat lady at the gym, sweating, huffing and puffing.  I convinced myself that other people weren't staring, they were focused on themselves.

When I do use the gym now, I'm so focused on what I'm doing that I don't even notice who is around me.  I just hope that if someone needed medical attention I would notice!!

This is all about you, so you go and find what workout works for you.  If people notice anything about you at all, it's that you are working hard trying to get fitter.  Ain't NOTHING wrong with that!

Another gym fan here.

I've got some equiptment that I use at home - resistance bands, a few dumbbells that were given to me, one of those stability balls, a foam roller, a couple of dvds & videos - but I mostly use the gym or run outside.

I favor the gym for the cardio machines for cross training (eliptical, arc trainer, rowing machine) and the free weights.  I tend to work out with the same group of people in the morning and when I'm not there, it doesn't go unnoticed (a woman came up to me today and said she hadn't seen me in months, told her I had been laying off the weights b/c of my half but not to worry, I was back in action now!).

Variety is key...another plus for the gym.  I was getting bored with my old routine, so I added a lot more outdoor running a couple months ago and now I'm craving the weight training again, so it's back to the gym I go! 

Variety will help a lot, I think one of the issues i have is that I have been allergic to exercise in the past and now that i am cured I have no idea what might be fun. I have always wanted to run, other people dream that they fly when they sleep, i dream i run and i think that would feel great (in between the bursts of chest pain and sobbing) but i also think I might like to try riding a bike and i have loved the weight things i've tried.

I think i may need a 3ed job! my first pays for life, the second for Disney and now a 3ed for all the exercise stuff i might like to try.

Most gyms will often give you a several day to a couple of weeks "trial".  So you can feel your way around a bit.  See if you like the place, people are nice, they keep it clean, etc.  Try a couple of the classes.