No-Equipment Workout: Get Slim for Summer

When summer hits, schedules seem to fill up faster than ever, making it much harder to stay on track with your workout. But since this busy season is also bikini season, staying lean and fit is key to looking and feeling your best. My summer fitness strategy: I make sure my workouts are not dependent on having access to a gym, and I choose exercises that don’t require a lot of equipment.

Read on for one of my go-to workouts that leaves me feeling strong, sexy, and ready for the beach or a summertime soiree.

How it works: Perform the prescribed number of reps for the first exercise and then immediately move on to the next without rest. Continue this pattern until you finish the last move. Rest for 1-2 minutes and then repeat the entire circuit 2 more times (3 times total). If you want an extra calorie burner, jump rope, run, or swim for 30 minutes before or after this routine.

Repetitions: 15 on each leg

Lie faceup with knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, hands by your side.

Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees, keeping glutes engaged the entire time.

Keep your hips lifted as you lift one knee to your chest, lower it back to the floor, and lift your other knee to your chest. Continue to alternate legs, keeping your hips high the entire time, until you’ve completed 15 reps on each leg. Press hands into the mat for support.

Repetitions: 15 on each leg

Assume a full plank position with your arms straight, hands below your shoulders, and feet together.

Lift your right foot off the floor and drive your right knee as close to your chest as possible. Return to the starting position and immediately repeat the movement with your left leg. Don’t change your lower-back posture as you lift your knee—keep your hips low and stable.

Continue alternating at a quick, fluid pace until you’ve done 15 reps on each leg (about 30 seconds).

Repetitions: 15 on each side

Lie faceup with your hips and knees bent 90 degrees so that your lower legs are parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head to support the neck.

Lift your shoulders off the floor and hold them there throughout the entire exercise.

Slowly lift and twist your chest to your right knee as you extend your left straight, hovering off mat. Return to center and repeat to the other side. Continue alternating until you’ve completed 15 reps on each side.

Repetitions: 5 on each side

Assume the standard pushup position with your hands slightly wider than and in line with your shoulders. As you lower your body toward the floor, lift your right foot, swing your right leg out sideways, and try to touch your knee to your elbow.

Reverse the movement, then push your body back to the starting position. Repeat on the other leg. Continue alternating until you’ve completed 5 reps on each side.

Repetitions: 15 on each leg

Stand tall on your right leg with your left foot lifted off the ground, arms by your sides.

Push your hips back and bend your left knee to lower your body into a squat (try to keep your right foot off the floor), reaching your arms in front of you for balance. Press through your left foot to return to standing. That's one rep. Do 15 reps on the right leg, 15 on the left.

Make sure your knee stays in line with your toes and chest stays lifted the entire time.

Repetitions: 15 on each leg

Get down on your hands and knees with your palms flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart.

Without allowing your back to rise or round, keep your core engaged as you bend your right knee and lift your leg up until your right thigh is parallel to the floor.

Slowly lower back down to the starting position. That’s one rep. Complete 15 reps on your right side and then switch to the left.

Repetitions: 5 on each side

Stand tall on your right leg with your left foot lifted off the floor. Shift your hips back and bend your right knee, keeping your toes pointed forward. Keep your chest up as you drive off the ball of your right foot into the floor and jump out and over to the left side as far as you can.

Land softly on your other leg with knee bent and toes pointed forward. Repeat, this time jumping to the right side. Continue at a quick pace until you’ve completed 5 reps on each leg (10 jumps total).

Repetitions: 10

Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body into a squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees (as if you were sitting in a chair).

Swing your arms back and explosively jump as high as you can, bringing your arms up overhead. When you land, immediately squat down and jump again. Do 10 reps total.

Assume full plank position with your arms straight, hands under shoulders, feet hip-width apart.

Raise your hips up and point your tailbone to the ceiling, drawing your shoulder blades down and back.

Hold this position for 10 deep breaths, and enjoy the stretch after all your hard work!