Love Handle Exercises

It is a proven fact that there are no exercises to get rid of love handles completely as spot reduction is impossible. Spot reduction refers to targeting fats in a specific area in the body. However, there are exercises which are effective enough to reduce the fat and get them toned. As said, desired results for reducing those love handles can only be achieved with consistent and dedicated efforts and not with some 'quick crash course'. These exercises are very similar to abdominal exercises, however are more pronounced in terms of targeting a certain set of muscles. Doing the right kind of exercise is also crucial when it comes to working the right muscles of the side of the body in order to lose your love handles.

Workouts to Get Rid of Love Handles

Any type of exercise is more effective when combined with a low fat diet. As mentioned earlier, there are no exercises to lose love handles specifically, however, there are those which can help them to get toned for a better look. Here are some exercises which you should inculcate and maintain a regular schedule for.

Exercise #1
This back exercise is somewhat similar to swimming. You can perform this exercise by lying flat on your stomach and keeping your head in a slightly elevated position. Then try to lift your feet and knees off the floor and move your legs back and forth, as you would have done if you were swimming. Perform multiple sets of this exercise, with each set, not being more than a period of 20-30 secs, with a break between a set of the same amount of time.

Exercise #2
Working out the internal and external obliques (a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso) and the rectus abdominis (a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen) also helps in toning the love handles. Lie on your back and raise your head slightly by putting your hands behind it. Now, keeping your left leg straight, bend your right knee and twist so that it touches your left elbow. Thereafter, keep your right leg straight and repeat the same to touch the right elbow with the left knee. While carrying out the workout, keep your legs relaxed.

Exercise #3
This workout makes use of dumbbells and men can start off by using 7.5 pounds. Stand straight and keep some distance between the legs, little more than your shoulder width distance. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand and bend sideways as low as you can. Repeat this for about 15 times. Thereafter, hold the weight in your right hand and repeat the same.

Exercise #4
Aerobic exercises are of great aid in burning calories and maintaining a healthy heart rate. Stand straight and keep your legs a foot apart, stretch your hands in front. Now without moving the hips and legs, twist your torso to the left and hold on for about 5 minutes. Ensure that while twisting, your right arm must cross in front of the body. Repeat the same with the left arm, after coming back to the original position.

Exercise #5
This workout includes a combination of twisting and side bending. It is quite difficult, but an effective workout. Stand straight and keep your legs some distance apart. Keep your hands behind your head and twist down by bending to your left. Come back from where you started and repeat the same method, but this time by twisting down to the right.

Exercise #6
Stand straight and keep a shoulder width distance between your legs. Keep your hands on your hips and rotate your torso in a circular motion starting from the right. After completing two or three cycles, start the rotation from the left. Continue the workout till you have completed around 15-20 rotations.

Cardiovascular Exercises to Reduce Love Handles

The main aim which goes behind inculcating cardiovascular exercises is to increase the fat-burning rate of the body (metabolism). Walking, biking, swimming, running and jogging are all forms of cardiovascular exercises which adds in toning of love handles. Apart from these outdoor exercises, indoor cardiovascular exercises which are equally effective include the treadmill, elliptical trainers, rowing machines, stair climbers, stationary bicycles and ladder climbers.

So, apart from the above exercises to get rid of love handles, it is also advisable to get into the mode of taking up a regular routine of cardiovascular exercises as well. It is advisable to perform a different exercise everyday. This will help your body not to get used to the same kind and yield better results in improving your love handles.