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In the days of pink slips, one of the first things to go might be a gym membership as soon as the contract ends or you can get out of it. For the truly frugal, even spending $10 on an exercise video draws a big frown.

There are lots of ways you can get a fun work-out cheaply or even for free through cable TV and your home computer. As a matter of fact, the freebies on cable are one reason to keep your subscription even during tough financial times. Here are some fitness goodies, courtesy of the Washington Beacon:

1. Fit TV: If you've watched it, you probably know about some of its programs, such as Cathie Friedrich and Gilad's Bodies in Motion. However, this digital cable channel also provides workout via the Discovery Network's video-on-on-demand (VOD) service. VOD listings are free with most digital cable packages. You'll find the work-outs under the "Health on Call" section.

2. YouTube: The concept is simple. You access a work-out someone else posts. According to the Beacon, a recent search for "fitness videos" yielded more than 160,000 hits. One of the most popular is Lorie Baker's Pilates Routine, which more than a million page views. You can also locate work-outs from popular trainers such as Leslie Sansone, Tracey Anderson and Jillian Michaels of "The Biggest Loser" fame.

3. iTunes: You'll find quite a few offerings in the iTunes Store. Among them: a Nike Sport Music page featuring coaching runs with Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams and other athletes. You can download the audio workloads to an iPod or an IPhone. The store also has a number of video and audio podcasts under "Health: Fitness & Nutrition" with yoga workouts and general fitness advice. The iPhone and iPod touch applications also have iSitups for targeting abs and some total body work-outs. While songs on iTunes cost 99 cents, podcasts are free. Many of the iPhone and iPod touch applications are free or available for just 99 cents.

4. Netflix: When you browse the titles, make your next selection a fitness DVD. One popular video is "Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred." You can also find classics from Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons and Denise Austin. If you have an unlimited Netflix plan, you can watch some of the DVDs instantly on your computer. Those with the right hookups can stream the videos to their TVs.

5. The Internet: There are tons of fitness resources on the Internet. You'll find more than 20 free work-out videos at www.fitnessmagazine.com. If you love yoga but don't have the time or budget for a live class, you can visit www.yogatoday.com for a different free hour-long yoga class each day. Each features an instructor and two students. Subscribe to www.youcanmakeitfit.com and gain the ability to access more than 100 streaming videos, downloadable podcasts and printable work-outs, including everything from cardio to yoga and meditation and strength training.

6. ExerciseTV: This is the place to go for a huge selection of work-outs. You'll find offerings for dance, walking cardio and even striptease. This on-demand network is available to millions of cable subscribers. The channel features at least 200 free work-outs. Visit the site www.ExerciseTV.tv for streaming video workouts. ExerciseTV is currently available digitally and free to Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable and Verizon Fios subscribers. Video downloads begin at 99 cents, and videos are for sale starting at $7.99.

So what's your excuse? It's time to get moving!

Reference: Megan K. Scott, "Get home workout videos cheap (or free)," The Washington Beacon, May 2009, p. 25

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