the main principle is that your body doesn't care if you are pushing/pulling weights or your own bodyweight as long as you have progressive overloard which is just easier to implement with weights, with calisthenics it's a matter of levers for instance but most people are just too lazy to lookup free information online instead of consuming internet garbage so the first choice is obviously shilling for a membership and a PT because that's what the advertisement banners around told them
aside from that yeah the gymbro industry is obviously a scam/grift like most other things in life
everything from the supposed beauty standards in media to influencers selling your their totally natty body and programs and the gyms themselves are not always honest about their monetization and even in general you obviously have to keep trainig to maintain what you achieved so if you really have it in you then the best option is a homegym (it's not like you need every piece of equipment in the world, just enough for basic compounds), a one time purchase that will last you a lifetime, others will just quit and go back to being a fat slob regardless if they do calisthenics or get followed by a PT in a gym

I would say tho it's not all black and white, if a gym doesn't work for you then fuck it, but if you are on the taller side you will get only so far with strict bodyweight (still can be a satisfying result)