Need recommendations for fitness equipment: yoga, pilates, stretching?
I want to install a small home gym in a 9.5 x 11.5 room (8' ceiling) on my second floor. The purpose of this is two-fold: I need to lose weight, and I need to regain strength and flexibility.

I was thinking of installing a ballet bar or parallel bars and buying a new or used Total Gym (for pilates).

What do you all think? Anyone have experience with Total Gym? Any recommendations on an alternative piece of equipment?

 recently bought a home gym. It is made by PowerTech and called the 'workbench'. It is great!! It took a while to setup...the directions weren't great but the machine is!! I bought it at Dick's Sporting Goods. 8ft by 11ft. It was $1000 without the weights...so I guess it depends on how serious you are and how much you have to spend.
It would be a lot of money to spend if a month or two from now you aren't using it much.