Membership or own your own equipment? If you are thinking about becoming healthier in 2009 decide if you really want to take out a gym membership or if you like to use an elliptical machine often you might want to consider purchasing your own.

There are drawbacks to buying your own equipment, you need to have space for it. You could pay a lot for a good machine and not be enthusiastic about using it at home.

There are also drawbacks to a gym membership. It only works if you go (the same with equipment) it only works if you use it. You may have to pay for fees and pay for times even when you don’t use it.

The one advantage of owning your own equipment, is that you can sell it. Gym memberships cannot be transferred. Thought there is more equipment at a gym and the possibility of working with a trainer or coach.

What if you decided to go for neither approach and walk or run for fitness? If you work in an office building or live in a multi-storied building you could walk the stairs for fitness and for a change of pace rather than just walking outside in inclement weather. Neither of these forms of exercise require any additional equipment and are free.

The question of membership or own your own equipment could be a moot point if you have the discipline to run or walk for fitness. It all depends on your interests.