Get Back in Shape Without Stretching Your Wallet : Play It Again Sports stores sell new and used exercise equipment. The newest location is in Northridge.

During the last few weeks, you have done a lot more partying than jogging, and you just know you’ve gained weight. You don’t even need to get on the scale at this point; you look in the mirror and the image looking back has an excess of avoirdupois. It is definitely time to gear up for some exercise. A group of franchised stores called Play It Again Sports sells new and used sports and exercise equipment and keeps expanding in the San Fernando Valley. Each store carries different merchandise, either trade-ins or consignments from the locals.

The Northridge location, open only one month, is already doing steady business, reports owner Mike Zabarsky. Obviously, word is getting around about such deals as a Nordic Track Pro in excellent condition marked $369.99, which when new sold for $649. A motorized Stair Climber ProForm No. 3001 commands $800 new, but you can pick one up here for $249.99.

Another new location of Play It Again Sports has opened in Studio City, and owner Bill Thorne is marking merchandise to move fast. For $209.99, instead of the original $500, a Marcy recumbent bike was on the floor the day we checked, along with a Nordic Flex Gold, with the butterfly attachment, placed on consignment to sell for $324.99. The retail on this is $900.

There’s a wide price range here. A barely used Trotter 540 Supertrainer treadmill--$4,500 new--is tagged at $2,500. If that’s too much for your already taxed budget, there’s a working stationary bike that originally was $120, now tagged at $14.99 with another 20% off, or $11.99.

I checked with the two stores that have been around for awhile--in Ventura and Agoura Hills--to learn about their inventory. In Ventura we found a Wilson stair stepper for $99.99 and some new Nordic Tracks for $299 and $399.

In Agoura Hills, an Aerobic Rider that is $299 new is going for half that, and a Lifestyler treadmill that originally was $450 is now $199. Although each store may operate in a slightly different fashion, the rules are basically the same. They take trade-ins, or consignment or buy outright.

Often new items are offered to the various stores from Growbiz, the parent company, some of which are made just for company distribution and priced well below retail.

Play It Again Sports

Northridge: 8947 Tampa Ave., (818) 701-7056.

Studio City: 12038 Ventura Blvd., (818) 752-9123.

Agoura Hills: 30317 Canwood St., (818) 879-5083.

Ventura: 4705 Telephone Road, (805) 644-4948.

WEEKEND SUPER SALE: Just about every sale in town will qualify as a “Super Sale” this next weekend, but none more than those sales on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Wannabes queue up, often on the sidewalks, just to gain entry so they can buy originally overpriced merchandise reduced to an affordable level. This is the only time of year most bargain shoppers venture into this territory, but the deals are often excellent. Besides, it’s great fun.

Or, if your upholstered furniture took a beating over the holiday, here’s a deal that extends from Tuesday through Jan. 6 at Hal David Interiors. You get four pillows recovered, with labor free, with a standard sofa for $299 and six standard dining chairs for a $150 labor charge (regular price $300). Hal David Interiors, 1424 S. La Cienaga Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-1470.