I have chronic ankle problems and had to take a break from my usual climbing/yoga/running routine when it flared up again recently. I started swimming (they have a pool at my gym) and biking as something to do while I healed. Swimming is harder to master so I took a couple of private lessons with the swim coach to get me started. I got a decent bike for Christmas, plus they have a really cool virtual reality bike program at my gym (did I mention I love my gym?) called Expresso. The Expresso bike offers a huge variety of different "trails" to ride, plus a great video-style game that invokes chasing and catching dragons for point. I also lift weights once or twice a week.
My ankle is much, much better, I can even run again. So I signed up for a sprint triathlon with a couple of my girl friends 
Biking is fun, easier on the body than running and a great way to get outside. The swimming is more fun than I expected. I am committed to learning to do it better. It is easier on my semi-broken, aging jock body than anything else I have tried.
My feeling about my somewhat pricey gym membership is that it is only too expensive if I don't use it. Since my gym is quality (it is the local Jewish Community Center) and I use most of the amenities many times a week, including the pool, weight room and fitness classes, it is not too expensive. And compared to the cost of medical care, in the longterm, it is probably a good deal since I will stay healthier.
Good luck!
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