Half-gallon milk jugs rinsed out and filled with water make great hand weights. A half gallon jug holds four pounds of water. Bonus: they can also serve as your emergency water supply, just be sure to change the water every six months.
No need to spend money on a bench press. Just rescue an old broomstick from the trash, cut off the bristles, and tie weighted socks to both ends. Or if you have any old iron pipes lying around cut them to the desired length and use without weights.
Use soup cans as weights for working out your arms. They weigh approximately one pound and are great for beginners or for a light workout on a day you can’t get to the gym. You can move up to the larger family-size soup cans which weigh about two pounds.
A soft plastic ball such as a soccer or beach ball is great for toning your inner-thighs. Hold the ball between your knees while sitting close to the edge of your chair. Squeeze your legs together and hold for a count of ten. Do double-duty by doing this while you’re sitting at your desk working or while watching television.