Pump up without slimming your wallet

Whether it's good times or bad, I'm fond of saying, fitness is a bargain. But for this column, you can take that literally -- and I'm not talking about scrounging up a dusty old Jane Fonda workout tape and a beat-up barbell set from EBay. Purchased new, the four products below will give you all-body, high-heart-rate aerobics, stretching/flexibility, and muscle toning and strength for a grand total as low as $117. You might even have enough left over to go out and splurge on a big dinner at Subway.

-- Roy M. Wallack

Gym dandy

Altus Athletic ADG Home Door Gym: Stretch-cord multi-gym with high and low pulleys that attach to a door.

Likes: Allows you to do many of the same movements that you would do in a gym: triceps extension/push-down, overhead pulls, cable crossover, seated and standing rows, chest press and more. It allows for back exercises, usually difficult to do at home. A smart, economical, space-efficient product that is a nice complement to dumbbells. Instructional DVD included. Easy setup. Beside handles, includes two ankle straps for leg exercises. Enough resistance for most exercisers save hard-core muscle men.

Dislikes: Can scar up the paint on your door and doorjamb.

Price: $37.99. (580) 482-0891 / (800) 654-9873; www.altusathletic.com.

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Get on the ball

Resist-A-Ball: A giant inflatable ball of durable rubber that provides a challenging, unstable surface for you to sit and lean on during a variety of exercises.

Likes: Your effort at maintaining balance during an infinite variety of body weight exercises gives you a highly "functional" workout that stretches, strengthens and builds coordination, all at once. Example: On a "Prone rollout," in which the tops of your feet rest on the ball and you walk, dog-like, forward and backward on your hands, you work all the muscles of the upper body and the mid-section. The list of potential exercises includes sit-ups, feet-elevated push-ups, neck bridges, and more (see www.youtube.com/watch?v =2Ad_ENrflPk). Can be used to add instability to a dumbbell workout. When you are done with your workout you can even use one as a posture-straightening office chair.

Dislikes: None.

Price: $20.95 (55-cm. size). (800) 847-SPIN; www.resistaball.com.

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Strong medicine

Perform Better First Place Elite medicine ball: Weighted, inflated rubber ball.