Get your cable shows free (by watching at your gym...)

When people look to save money by cutting back on bills, cable is often one of the first expenses to be cut. While you can stay up to date with many shows online, there are just as many that you can only catch on cable. Usually you'd have to make due without. But one of my friends has come up with a great way to keep up with her shows and stay fit at the same time: She watches her favorite cable shows at the gym.

Elizabeth McCombs, marketing manager at the local mall, has a gym membership at a 24-Hour Fitness chain which equips each piece of equipment with a television.

By timing her workout with her favorite cable series, she's been able to save on her monthly cable bill and get in better shape. Since it's her only avenue for watching Burn Notice or Psych, she also gets the very most of her gym membership fees.

Using your gym membership to stay current on television isn't without its drawbacks. Unless you plan on convincing your friends to run on the treadmill next to you; catching up on your shows while working out will likely be a solitary experience. Additionally, since most gyms don't have a DVR on each machine, you'll also need to adjust your workout schedule to fit your show's schedule rather than your own.

That said, I'm pretty sure there's a market for a 24-hour gym that links a DVR to your membership card.

Using the gym to stay current on your favorite TV shows may not be for everyone, but if you want an easy way to combine services, and an incentive to work out, this may be just what you're looking for.

With gyms everywhere cutting the cost of memberships in 2009, there's no better time to turn your favorite excuse for not working out into the reason you hit the gym!