Love handles are caused by fat retention resulting from age, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and/or hormonal imbalances. Although a clean diet is the most effective way to reduce fat stored in your tummy area, these five love handle-burning exercises can also help. Learn each slimming move below.
The Routine:
Russian Twist
Side Plank Hip Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Mountain Climber Twist
Spider-Man Crunch
(Yoga mat required.)
How to: Sit down on the floor with your legs bent at the knees and feet off the floor. Elevate your upper body so that it creates a V shape with your thighs. Grab a free weight and hold it in your hands. Twist your torso to one side, bringing the weight to the side as you go. Now move to the opposite side performing the same techniques you applied to the other side.
The Move: Side Plank Hip Lift
How to: Start in a side plank position, with your shoulder over your elbow and your body in a straight line. Bring your hip down without letting it touch the floor, and then bring it back up to the side plank position. Repeat and switch sides.
How to: Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground (pull your navel in to also target your deep abs). Put your hands behind your head, then bring your knees in toward your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Straighten your right leg out to about a 45-degree angle to the ground while turning your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow toward the left knee. Make sure your rib cage is moving and not just your elbows. Switch sides and do the same motion on the other side to complete one rep.
The Move: Mountain Climber Twist
How to: Start in a traditional plank—shoulders over hands and weight on your toes. With your core engaged, twist to bring your right knee forward to your left elbow. Return to your basic plank to complete a rep. Switch legs, bringing the left knee forward to the right knee for your second rep while maintaining plank position.
The Move: Spider-Man Plank Crunch
How to: Start in a traditional plank position with your forearms on the ground and your body perfectly straight. Bring your right knee forward toward your right elbow, then return to the plank position. Repeat by bringing your left knee toward your left elbow. Alternate sides and add a push-up in between reps for an extra challenge.