‘Pocket gyms’ travel light

Nothing beats real weight-lifting for keeping your muscles strong and shapely. But when life’s commitments keep you away from the gym and regular strength workouts, a “pocket gym” can come in handy. Small, inexpensive and easily transportable, these clever products use stretch cords, gravity and other methods to provide resistance to help you tone and strengthen.

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Your new workout partner -- a door

Jam Gym: Hooked to a door, this easy-to-use strap provides a fairly easy workout.

Likes: Weighs just 10 ounces, so you can take it anywhere. Compresses to about the size of a large sock. Attach it to a door, grasp the handles and lean forward or back to do rows, chest and shoulder presses, pectoral flies and some leg exercises. Your body weight provides the resistance. Video included.

Dislikes: May be too easy for very fit people. Only a limited number of exercises possible.

Price: $29.95. (800) 823-6273; www.jamgym.com.

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Pulleys for strengthening legs and arms

Altus Door Gym: Sophisticated and effective pulley-bungee cord device that attaches to a door.

Likes: Exercises mimic the natural motion and feel of gym weight machines more than similar devices. Pulleys anchor securely in place in seconds. Many upper-body and leg exercises possible including: tricep push-downs, upright and seated rows, bicep curls, shoulder press, squats and more. Great deal for the price.

Dislikes: The four bungee cords offer suitable resistance for most, but aren’t tough enough for very strong lifters to do two-handed exercises; for example, you need to hook one handle to all four cords to do lat pulls. Rather bulky, so not as suitable for travel as some other products.

Price: $34.99. (800) 654-3955; www.altusathletic.com.

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Stretch tubes offer resistance

GoFit Ultimate Pro Gym in a Bag: Dual-handled stretch cords provide versatility at a good price.

Likes: Three color-keyed rubber stretch tubes provide light, medium or heavy resistance; they can be used separately or together. Easy set-up; anchor in door jam or stand on the resistance tubes. Includes a DVD and fold-out chart with exercises. Weighs just 16 ounces and folds up to about the size of a book. Includes an ankle band for leg exercises.

Dislikes: Lacks the gym-machine feel of the Altus Door Gym.

Price: $24.99. (888) 530-4441; www.gofit.net.

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Push, pull, rock and twist

Synergetics PocketGym: Toning and stretching workout that incorporates graceful body movements and isometrics.

Likes: Unusual workout reminiscent of tai-chi combines constant pushing and pulling on a horseshoe-shaped, padded exercise bar, while you gently rock and twist your body from side to side. May seem too easy at first, but you can work up a sweat and feel yourself getting stretched and toned. Twelve-minute DVD and audiotape workout routine is a good introduction to fitness for infrequent exercisers.

Dislikes: Not the best choice for those looking to build strength; primarily a routine to enhance your flexibility.

Price: $80. (800) 336-1993; www.pocketgym.com.

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-- Roy M. Wallack