rwbeagles-Workout machine thingy recommendations?

I got a Weslo elliptical off eBay, brand new I just had to put it together.  The retail price was listed as $700 and I got it for $240.  I know with ellipticals you really get what you pay for, but it was either something cheap or nothing.  I need to tighten it occasionally, but for the price I have been MORE than happy and lost 25lbs in just a few months.  I can't do "impact" type things b/c of arthritis.  It was between the elliptical or a stationary bike and I chose the elliptical because I have a regular bike.  This elliptical has 1-15 resistance settings, different "programs", and also does stuff like calories, time, heart rate, etc., though I personally just go by time and calculate my own heart rate.  The batteries died on the display b/c I use it so much and I haven't bothered to replace them.  It was sort of tricky to assemble but I basically did it by myself besides having DH hold a heavy piece in place here or there.  When I got mine it was missing two washers, but DH admitted when he brought the box inside he "heard a sound like something metal hitting the sidewalk".  They cost me about 50 cents to replace.

We have a tiny little half-duplex so mine is in our livingroom/den since I like to watch TV while I'm on it.
 

 I like elipticals too.  I don't have arthritis yet, but I've always had bad knees and the eliptical never hurts, though my legs usually feel like jello when i get off.

As far as a treadmill goes, you have to decide what you are going to do with it.  If you want it for jogging or running, you want to get a long track and as wide as possible.  If you're short on space, having one that flips up is useful.  I want one of the Bowflex treadclimbers.  The look like a huge workout!  Then you would get both a stair climber and a treadmill in one.  Might be worth the price if you were going to get both anyway.  

I like the versatility of the elliptical.  If I want it to feel like a stair workout, I put the resistance at the highest level and work slowly backwards and forwards.  Sometimes when I'm running, I up the resistance and then force my arms to push/pull to work on my upper body.  Sometimes I want to feel like I'm biking fast, so I lean forward on the display and it feels just like biking (in fact, some ellipticals come with a removable post that has a bike seat on it).  You're right, legs feel like jell-o, but I don't have any increased joint problems.

I have an elliptical at home, a treadmill in my office (moved it there when I got the elliptical) and at the gym, I use the stairmaster. I think they all have advantages, but if I could only have one, it'd definitely be the elliptical. You'll usually get a choice with the elliptical of having the arm parts move too or having incline ability. I really wish I had both, but chose the arm workout feature because I figured it's a better overall workout. Mine was a gift from DH and more pricey than necessary. A friend of mine got a really good deal on one at Costco.

I use the Total Gym 1100 (the basic model). The one yousee advertised by Chuck Norris, Christie Brinkley, and Wesley Snipes. I really like it. You can train any body part with any movement that you can do, even limited movement. At a low incline with lots of reps, you can approach an aerobic workout while getting a toning effect.

My routine goes like this. I start with the glider at the highest incline. I add two 50 pound weights. That, in addition to my own weight is then multiplied by .43. Which means I butterfly 139 lbs, more than I did when I was younger and it's safer. If I get tired, I can just put my feet on the floor and stop it. With free weights, the best I could was 110 lbs. Anyway, then I take the weights off. I do concentration curls and lat pulls next. Then I do alternating sets of a variegated iron cross that looks like a back stroke, tricep pulls and dips. Then, I lower the bench to halfway and put on the foot attachment and do leg pulls. Fast, easy, and safe.

My friend has a elliptical machine that I used yesterday for 20 minutes. I was sweating my butt off too. I want one so badly. I loved how it tells you how many calories you burned,steps you've taken,distance you've gone,heart rate,etc. I LOVED it. Must have one.

My home gym equipment of choice is the exercise ball and resistance bands. You can do so much with these very cheap and space efficient things. I'd add a barbell if I had more room. I love weights. At least I did until I developed horrible beefy man-arms and put on 6 kilos in muscle!

If I were to buy a machine, I like the stairmaster. It's hard work. I always found the elliptical to be vaguely unnatural so that I get sore spots that slow me down. There's nothing quite like a good jog, but I would kind of resent paying money for that when I can go out and jog outside with the dogs. Not that they could keep up! 

We have an eliptical as well as its great and quiet - so you have no trouble hearing the TV over it!  Would definitely recommend one.