What kind of exercise machine...?

So, here’s the story: I’ve been working without a break for about eighteen months now - lots of late nights and too many take-away meals delivered to my desk. As of the end of this year my employers are generously relieving me of the burden of employment so I’m taking a couple of months off.

I’m planning to work from home on a few private projects, but one of the main things I want to do is burn off a few of the pounds the aforementioned take-aways have distributed around my waistline. In short, I’m in the market for a home exercise machine on which I can spend an hour or two a day while I’m not working and then move into a regular routine with in the evenings.

I’m currently tending towards a rowing machine. It is, after all, done sitting down and that’s the kind of exercise I feel I can really get behind.

My criteria are:
It should provide a good, consistent workout, and scale to my abilities as I get fitter and better at it.

Ideally I should be able to do something other than just exercise while using it; watching TV is fine, reading is better, writing is perfect.

It does need to fold up at least enough that I can hide it away in a wardrobe 1m wide by 70cm deep.

So, what’s the good word from the Dopers?

Whatever you decide, remember these things:

Don’t buy new. The want-ads and garage sales are brimming with this stuff, and much cheaper than new.

Any exercise device that can be folded and hidden away will eventually stay hidden.

Recumbant exercise bike seems to be the one that you can do the most other stuff while using. If taking your mind off the misery is important, that might be your choice.

I have read articles that say in practice, treadmills get the most use. That’s what I have, and I use it more than any other equipment I ever had, but I’m not saying it’s worked miracles.

Rowing machine seems like the worst choice if you want to be able to do anything but watch TV or listen to music.