If the only thing you're going to use the bike for is to ride to the gym, I agree with those who said save your money. You'll get more health benefit from walking both ways, and much more health benefit from jogging each way at a 10 min/mile pace. You're not going to be on the bike long enough to derive much benefit from it. OTOH, if you think that you might take to cycling as a fun way to get exercise, get a decent bike from the outset. A used major brand would be fine, but you can pick up a very good, name brand "comfort" or "hybrid" for under $400 from most local bike shops. My wife has a Specialized Expedition that she bought for around that price over 10 years ago, and it's been just about flawless since. Specialized has cheapened the component group somewhat over the years, but it's still a solid buy. Trek, Carbondale, Giant, all of those big names make decent entry level hybrids and comfort bikes. Much better to go that way IMO than with a Wally World special.