If you're trying to save money during the economic downturn, here's the skinny on saving money on your gym membership.
* Shop around. Membership dues are going down. Some gyms charge as little as $10 a month.
* Cut the fat. Group classes, basketball, a pool and childcare all sound nice. But do you really need them? You can save big bucks with a cheaper gym that offers fewer amenities.
* Try Costco. It turns out you can pick up a two-year gym membership at certain Costcos that costs less than $300.
* And finally, go online. Check out Web sites like gymticket.com. Type in your workout needs, and you'll get a list of gyms in your area. You can compare prices and print out free trial passes.