Updated on December 20, 2006.

TAKE A GOOD LOOK at yourself, sitting there in your office, cube, living room wherever. Ask yourself if you wouldn't look just a little bit better if you'd hit the gym a few more times this month.

What's that? You don't have a gym membership? Then it's time to get going!

Trouble is, gyms are expensive. The average monthly membership fee at a high-end gym is $55, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a trade group for the health club industry. Expect to pay more if you live in a metropolitan area or want lots of extras, like a personal trainer determined to whip that office body of yours into Hollywood shape.

The good news? You can avoid wallet strain and easily save 60% or more with a few simple exercises. Here's how to get a good deal.

1. Use your affiliations

The groups you belong to could be the key to saving on gym memberships. Check with:

• Your employer.

  Many large companies offer corporate discounts with certain gyms or a general reimbursement for a portion of your membership expenses.

• Your union.

• Your insurance company.

  Look for discounts in your insurer's health and wellness programs. The Healthy Bonus programs at Oxford Health Plans, for example, include discounted rates for WellQuest, a network of fitness clubs and chains. You'll also get 10% to 15% off certain home fitness equipment.

• Your professional organization, fraternity or other club.

2. Take advantage of trial memberships

Work out for free for two weeks or more. Be sure to give that gym a real workout before you sign a contract. Make sure you visit the gym during the hours you plan on working out, so you can get an accurate feel for what you'll encounter as a member, says Brooke MacInnis Correia, spokeswoman for the IHRSA.

3. Shop around within the fitness club chain

If you opt for one of the big-name fitness chains and have a choice of locations, don't look at just one spot. Because many of these gyms are franchised, specials and discounts might be available only at specific locations. So call around before you pick a specific gym.

4. Choose the length of membership carefully

Usually, you'll be offered a choice of month-by-month, annual or multi-year packages. If this is your first time joining a gym, your best bet is a month-by-month agreement. "You don't want to end up not going and wasting your money," advises Correia. You might pay less with longer memberships, but they can be a hassle if you want to cancel, or have problems with the gym down the road. Avoid lifetime memberships, Correia warns. They're illegal in most states, and are never a good deal because gyms should be made to earn your continued business.

5. Bid on it

You can find plenty of discount gym memberships on forums such as eBay and Craigslist. Many are lifetime memberships people are looking to sell, but you can also find monthly passes and annual memberships. Before you make an offer, call the gym in question and verify that they will accept the type of membership being auctioned (remember, most states don't permit lifetime memberships), as well as its regular cost.

6. Negotiate

Don't be afraid to tell the club representative that you've received better offers from other gyms.

7. Wait until the New Year

Fitness clubs often take advantage of people's New Year's resolutions to lose holiday poundage by running promotions during that time, says Correia.