12 Equipment-Free Exercises You Can Do Outside

Forget dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and the latest, greatest cardio machine at your gym. You don't need any of them—or a gym membership—to get in fantastic shape.

That's because you already have a free gym, and it's right at your disposal. All you need to get fit this summer is your wits and nature. The great outdoors can supply a hefty number of training tools, if you're willing to be creative.

But don't worry: We've done the legwork for you. This summer, we're giving you the definitive guide on how to train with nature, getting you fit with the equipment that the Earth has always provided—in this case, trees, rocks, and hills. Other than that, you don't need any equipment at all.

The 12 exercises that follow are a buffet of moves that you can use in infinite circuits. For example, you can do a 12-minute burner, picking four exercises and doing them for 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off, for 3 rounds.

Or you can do 4 moves from one of nature's training methods, performing each exercise for 3 full minutes. Or you can do every single exercise offered, resting as needed, for a total-body training session.

Whatever you choose, these exercise options will get you out of your boring workout rut—and make you sweat like crazy. So take a break from the gym with these 12 equipment-free exercise options. (Want to take your gym-free workout inside instead? Try The 21-Day MetaShred from Men's Health to build lean muscle and burn fat fast.)

1. Trees: Flip Out

This takes guts. Hang from a slim branch that supports your weight. In succession, pull your knees to your chest and lower them; swing your feet chest-high (legs straight) and lower them; swing your feet to your shoulders. Eventually you'll flip over the branch like a gymnast. Try to do 5.

2. Trees: Barks and Wreck

Find a downed tree or branch that's sturdy enough to hold your weight and long enough for your body. Balance on it to do a side plank, your bottom hand beneath your shoulder. Lift your top leg and extend your top arm. Hold the position for 30 seconds; then switch sides.

3. Trees: Have a (Half) Seat

Find a tree with bark that won't cut you or rip from the trunk, and reinvent the wall sit. With your back against the tree (as in a wall sit), lower into a squat, your knees at 90 degrees. Then straighten your right leg and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat with your left leg. That's 1 rep; do 15.

4. Trees: Backward Climb

Meet nature's military press. Start in a pushup position less than a body's length away from a sturdy tree trunk, facing away. Keeping your chin tucked, walk your hands toward the tree while walking your feet up the trunk. Finish in a handstand position. Walk back down. Aim for 10 reps.

5. Boulders: Rock Pushups

Find two rocks you can grip. Holding one in each hand, assume a pushup position. Do a rep, and as you press up, pull the rocks off the ground. Land with the rocks farther apart. Repeat, landing wider on the next 2 reps; then do 3 pushups to return to the start. Work for 20 to 60 seconds for 3 sets.

6. Boulders: Pick Things Up

Stand with a large rock between your feet. Drop your hips as with a deadlift, and slide your hands under the rock. Push from your heels and stand, curling the rock up and bringing it toward your left shoulder. Repeat, this time toward your right shoulder. Aim for 20 to 30 reps.

7. Boulders: Walk the Walk

One of life's most practical actions is also the most natural workout with a rock. Simply squat and pick up the heaviest boulder you can. Then, holding it in front of you with both hands, walk as far as you can for 30 to 60 seconds. Too easy for you? Walk uphill to feel like the ultimate badass.

8. Boulders: Throw Stones

All you need to shock your cardiovascular system is a rock and a hill. At the top of the hill, squat and pick up the rock, raise it overhead, and throw it down the hill. Run after it, squat, then underhand toss it uphill with both arms. Continue with underhand tosses until you're back to the top.

9. Hills: Be Crabby

It's total-body claw and order—if you make it. The reverse crab walk, a move from Jeff Cavaliere, MS-PT, C.S.C.S., of the Athlean-X program, hits your glutes, quads, back, and triceps. Face away from the hill and sit on your butt, feet flat. Then lift your body off the ground and walk uphill on your hands and feet. Start with 3 or 4 sets of 50-yard crab walks.

10. Hills: Just Lunge

Weighted lunges in the gym can't prepare you for uphill lunges. "The hill creates your resistance," says Matt Krause, strength and conditioning coach with the New York Yankees. Start by alternating legs as you lunge upward. Progress to right-leg-only lunges for 30 yards; then switch legs.

11. Hills: Back It Up

Running up a hill is one thing (and not easy). But can you walk up a hill backward? That's a great quad workout. Bonus: You won't have to worry about wrecking your knees. (Just for fun, kick your playlist into reverse too.) Start with 5 sets of 20 yards. Then work up to 40 yards, then 60.

12. Hills: Get Creative

Your hill workouts should never be the same. Try what MH training advisor David Jack calls "an organic obstacle course." Jack plans a 20-minute uphill walk with stops to do exercises. "I'll put together 200 pushups before I get to the top," he says. Other circuit options: squats and jumping jacks.