I do if I join the gym, which is a stone's throw away. However, the cash needed to join is the obstacle :\
You have two options in front of you. You can either a) spend the money to join the gym and use the weights or b) save the money and do calisthenics (body weight training).
Here is what you're in for with either option.
Option A: The Gym
You will be going to a gym and using weights to gain muscle. The programs I would recommend are
Starting Strength or
Greyskull LP. Regardless of which one you take you're going to want to read Starting Strength (the book) in order to understand how to preform the exercises. If you aren't feeling very piratey, I'll send you a copy if you want one (PDF ofc).
You will progress linearly on either program. In 12 weeks you can bring your squat from 45 lbs to 225 lbs if you want. It's easy peasy lemon squeezy. Just takes consistency. You're gonna get stronger, you're gonna build mass. Are you gonna stay a skinny kid? Hell no. You're gonna look like our friend Lee or Stath (look at windsong to see what Lee used to look like hahahaha i crack myself up).
You'll get as strong as you want. Once you have a solid base you can do whatever you want in the gym pretty much. You can keep increasing your compound lifts, you can work on auxiliary exercises, hell you could do an entire bodybuilding routine if you want. All I know right now is you want to get stronger, and this is an easy and efficient way of doing it. On the flip side,
Option B: Bodyweight Workouts
These aren't so bad. You've got several options, most just require a pull-up bar (Iron Gym, for example). You've got several options.
SimpleFit,
p90x,
Convict Conditioning, You Are
Your Own Gym, list is endless. Basically what it comes down to is doing the exercises you can do at home with your body often and with high intensity. Push ups, squats, pull ups, sit-ups, lunges, bridges, etc. Easy stuff that gets harder when you make it harder.
If you want to go this path I recommend p90x. I think you might need a little more than a pull up bar but again, you can either sail the high seas or I can help you out. If what it takes to do p90x is too much, simplefit is an easy way to make sure you're getting in a workout that's high intensity and keeps you stronger than you would be without it.
Of the two options, I'd recommend the Gym Option the most. Why? Lifting weights is an easy way to get stronger. You go in on day one, lift the bar, come home. Two days later you go back, add weight, come home. And every time you add weight until you can't. You just keep getting stronger. It's easy to do, easy to track, easy to compare.
But make sure it's something you want. Don't buy a gym membership if you're not going to be consistent. If you're not sure, might want to just stick with bodyweight training. See how you like training. If you like it, go for it. Go all out, hit the gym.
Whatever you pick, make sure you get stronger and stay dedicated. I can help you get any books / videos you need.
So, does anyone have any idea on the best ways to gain weight in general?
I was recently extremely ill (and maybe still am, but it's cleared up a lot now with medication). I lost over 20lbs in about two and a half weeks, but I'm currently on steroid tablets which have obviously increased my appetite. I'm drinking plenty of milk, eating yoghurt, and taking calcium tablets to combat the potential bone thinning.
I'm just wondering what kind of foods you'd suggest eating to gain more weight faster? I'll be on the steroids for the next 6-7 weeks so I can eat a hell of a lot to be honest (although I always ate a fair amount really despite being slim).
Something easy to do is get a trail mix (or make your own) and just take a handful each time you pass. Trail mix is hella calorie dense, and even if you only eat a handful each hour for 8 hours you'll easily put down over 1000 calories. Add that to your other meals (hopefully at 2000+ calories combined) and you'll be putting on weight like it's no problem.
Other that that, I guess eat more carbs. I could eat bread all day long and still be hungry. I actually logged a 10,000 calorie day where pretty much all I ate was bread. Was straight crazy. Cereal too. Oh man, cereal is great imo for adding extra calories. In between meals it makes an easy snack that really doesn't take away any appetite.
also, hope you get well soon!