Buy elliptical or join a gym

Elliptical, treadmill, Air Bike, rower -- it doesn't matter. If you'll use it, it's great. If you won't, it's a waste of money. No one can answer that for you. Planet Fitness is only $10 a month or so. It's very cheap, but if the gym gives you anxiety and you just can't get beyond that (that's another topic, most don't even notice you there in reality), then figure out if you'll use an Elliptical.

Have you considered a great quality Air Bike instead? Like an Assault style bike? My wife is 58 and loves her Air Dyne Pro. I bought it for her and I use it all the time too. Great full body workout and no motors to break. They are around the same price point as Ellipticals and last longer. The might even be a bit cheaper. The Echo Rogue is very reasonably priced ($750) and is a great piece of equipment that will retain its value much better than an elliptical will.

For me personally, working out at home is preferred. I either use the AirDyne Pro or a Concept2 rower (most don't like the rower -- my whole family doesn't like rowing -- they say it's too hard for them) for an hour and workout 6 days a week. I have an LA Fitness Membership, but to be honest, the two pieces of equipment I have are better than anything there. I feel like I'm downgrading to workout there.

I'm not gym shy but I prefer the convenience of working out in the privacy of my home. Anytime I want to workout out all of the equipment I need is right there.

I've spent $1000's on Olympic lifting/gym equipment and a $1k on LeMond spin bike. Used them extensively for awhile but no longer because I achieved my goals and my needs, preferences and routine changed.

I also spent $1k on a Concept2 rower, which I use almost everyday (and makeup the time missed when I don't).

It's the BEST piece of gym equipment that I ever bought and part of the reason I don't use the other gear is because I prefer to use the rower instead

I also have a free gym membership paid for by my medical insurance plan that I never use because of all of the gear that I have at home. The only reason that I go to the gym is to use the steam room, sauna and/or whirlpool.

So, for me, buying my own equipment was the best choice. Results may obviously differ for others.

I love my elliptical! We tried to sell it a number of times but we always decided to keep it. I'm glad it did, it really helps me, especially now that I'm watching my caloric intake. And I sleep like a baby after the workout.

I have definitely considered the same thing because gyms stressed me out. However, I will say that the quality of the elliptical that you get at most gyms is going to be about $1500+ if you were going to buy your own. A cheaper one is not going to have that same "glide" easy movements as the ones in the gym. I had a cheap one basically fall apart after using it for a few months & it gave me some serious knee pain since it wasn't aligned correctly. Just a thought, hope this helps.

Gym membership. Just think of it as renting an elliptical plus getting use of all the other equipment they offer.

As far as anxiety goes, I can guarantee that the majority of folks in the gym don't care what you look like or what your wearing. In fact, you would probably go unnoticed by 99% of people there.

Planet Fitness caters to people starting out in a gym. No power lifting equipment. In fact, most the space is taken up by ellipticals and treadmills.

"Buy elliptical or join a gym" Some of the many factors YOU will have to decide are important:

What is the cost of the elliptical? (Good ones go for several thousand); What is the cost of the gym membership (mine is $24/month and I get $20 back from my health insurance each month I go 12 times or more.) Is the purchase worth the monthly payments, or vice versa? How long at gym membership prices will it take for you to payoff the machine? Will the elliptical need maintenance during this time?

Do you have a place to keep and use the elliptical at home? They are kinda big and take up more than some space. Do you have the ceiling height to use an elliptical at home?

Is the cost to purchase worth not having the other aspects of a gym membership available? I like using the other machines, free weights, dumbbells et al. at my gym. I like being able to use the elliptical, treadmill, assisted dip/pull up, stair climber and rowing machines at my whim or plan.

Will you use the machine/membership regardless of what you buy?

How far, crowded, friendly/unfriendly, clean is the gym you're considering? Is it just too far, crowded, dis-cordial to use regularly?

For me, FWIW, the $4 net payment at the gym made the decision easy. Even at the $24 per month cost it would take close to ten years to pay off a good elliptical; and I get the use of all the other equipment at the gym. I like the opportunity use other stuff.

Choose as you will and use it.

Honestly it’s more about your mindset than anything else. If you are disciplined, you will workout whether it’s at home or at the gym. I have a home treadmill for the past 10+ years and it has been invaluable to me. I also have a gym membership. I use them both sometimes together, sometimes strictly gym or sometimes strictly home treadmill with a home weight set. I like the gym for the weight equipment and to change up my cardio routine, but I also like my home treadmill because it’s way more convenient and enjoyable for me. I put on Netflix or shows I DVR’d without having to have earbuds in, I can workout in my sport bra judgement free, and sometimes I even just wear my socks if I’m casually just walking to get some extra steps in for the day. And I can control my own air temp which is a huge plus (my gym is always SO hot year round).

Now that I’m a mom who can’t get to the gym very often with my schedule, I thank God I made the investment for this treadmill I use daily when my baby is napping.

The thing about home workout equipment is that you actually have to *like* the machine and the type of cardio you’re doing. I love running and walking uphill so a treadmill made sense. Each elliptical is different so you should really try before you buy so you know if it’s a match for you. So many ellipiticals operate differently, you need to feel comfortable personally or you’ll definitely never use it.

Check your gym’s cancellation policy if you decide it’s not for you and you want to make the investment for a home elliptical. Also see if your gym is a chain that will have another one close to where you are moving.

The thing is, the equipment you often buy for home just isn't the same quality as the stuff in the gym, as the gym equipment is basically industrial. I can go for 65 minutes on the gym elliptical, but on my parents shaky, crappy light one, I go for a half hour with less intensity because it just kind of feels off.

Chances are you're not going to buy the best of the best stuff unless you're an enthusiast, and there's a trend towards really cheap gym memberships nowadays. Add to that the greater flexibility for exercise, the added motivation of actually going to a place to work out, and my vote is for the gym. At $10-20 a month, you'd have to have a membership for many years to equal the cost of one worthwhile elliptical machine.

I bought one and I used it approximately 11 times, diligently. Then it worked great as a place to hang clothes that were in my way. I gave it away. If you'll USE it, go for it.

I deal with some wicked anxiety but we joined Planet Fitness a couple weeks ago-- I got the black card, which just means you can go to any club and have access to massage chairs and tanning-- so it's $22 a month and I can say with certainty that not a single person is paying attention to me. I like the options that having a gym membership gives me. Some days I just walk the treadmill for a while, some days I do the 30 minute express cardio/strength circuit and torture myself on the StairMaster. Sometimes I float around to the weight machines and then cruise on a bike. I get tunnel vision once I get focused, and it's actually been inspiring to be surrounded by people with the same or similar goal in mind-- Get in, get your workout in, and get out. Everyone has actually been really nice that I've interacted with. It's definitely worth it. To me, it motivates me. You just have to decide what option will motivate you.