Need Cheap (no equipment or gym) Strength Building

I am thinking about adding some Calisthentics to my routine so I can get some strength building. Particularly core and upper body. My standard workouts now include 5-6 training runs (alternating between hills, speed, and distance) - given the hills my legs are strong.

I am limited on time and finances (work 2 jobs).

What is your top recommendations for building up some strength?

you can rent strength training and other exercise dvd's at the library. Otherwise the internet can give you all the exercise ideas you could ever desire lol. Plus you tube exercise videos, if you look at insanity style workouts they don't require any equipment but your own body weight

Sometimes you can use household items for strength training. I've heard filling water jugs or laundry detergent bottles with handles with water or sand make for good weights.

I second the suggestions above. I know exercises like step ups are good for your lower body (helps if you hold something heavy when you do them for increased resistance), and pushups and planks are good for arms and abs. The internet has tons of free workout videos online, or Netflix has a workout section I believe.

hi i invested in the EA sports active2 last year for my birthday you can get it for all platforms . playstation, wii , xbox comes with dino band and sensors . i love it because you can use it when u have the time and make up your own work outs weather short or long ones. or for more fun zumba is out now too for those platforms x

Make some sandbags (cheap and easy) and google some lifts you can do using those

You can do body weight exercises and use things around the house like phone books to add weight. For your chest and arms, nothing beats good old fashioned push-ups. As you get stronger start placing phone books on your back for some added work. You can take a kitchen pot or bucket and fill with rocks and use to do curls and side arm raises. A teapot would also work really well because it would be easier to grip. Squats and lunges are great for leg strength, just find something heavy, hold across your upper shoulders and get to work. I'm thinking something like a bag of dog food would be great for that, or maybe even a wooden chair if you can hold it comfortably. Look around your place for other heavy objects that are relatively small and easy to grip, another place you might check is your tools.

If you are able to save up a little and want some real weights, check garage sales and craigslist. Lots of people drop tons of cash on fancy equipment, use it twice, and then give up. You'd be surprised at some of the deals you can find.

"Convict Conditioning" comes to mind http://www.amazon.com/Convict-Conditioning-Weakness-Survival-Strength/dp/0938045768