I’m in the market for some exercise equipment. It’s just that it can be awkward making fun of fat people when you’re fat too . . . And I really should exercise more (or at all) out of general thirtysomething health considerations, and there’s not a chance in hell I’ll do it in a gym. And I don’t particularly enjoy the outdoors. At least not on a regular basis.

I had intended to get a good treadmill and put it in front of the TV, which would kill two birds simultaneously — another barrier to establishing an exercise routine is that I’m too busy watching movies. If I just make a point of watching more of those movies at home, on DVD or cable, I can hit the treadmill at the same time. And the amount of money I would save by seeing fewer movies in theaters would pay for the machinery in no time. It really would.

I almost laid down about $1,400 for a treadmill the other day, but decided to do a little more research first. This page of treadmill-buying tips seemed helpful until I reached the end and realized it was compiled in 1996 — and that elliptical trainers were introduced at about the same time, and have many devotees today. But pretty much every page I could find that praised elliptical trainers was sponsored by someone who wanted to sell me an elliptical trainer. What to do?

It appears that both can be used for equally vigorous workouts, although the elliptical trainers may go easier on joints — which, for all I know, could be an issue once I get started exercising. But the elliptical trainers I’ve looked at that are within my price range also have potentially worrisome weight limits that similarly-priced treadmills don’t.

Anyone out there have any relevant experience or preference?