alt Hacker NewsCongratulations! People definitely overestimate how difficult it is to start getting into gym and weightlifting. Pull-ups, push-ups, and crunches will get you 50% of the benefits with 1% of the effort. Adding on some additional weight from things like kettlebells is all you need then for your lower body. Gyms are nice when convenient but not at all necessary.
The advantage of the gym is that machines usually (but not always) force or at least guide the correct form. Free weights and free exercise leave so much room for a wrong form and building up to injuries.