planet fitness are good deals. $10/month and the gyms are massive.

Not great if you like lifting heavy things, but for most people it's great. I've been lifting/exercising for 15 years, the point of a gym is to have a separate "work out" place so when you are there you just work out.

Personally I go in phases, get real into running for awhile, heavy lifting for a while, body weight, ect.

You don't need much equipment at all and tbh for most people, just walking for an extra 15 min/day will help...