Exercises for love handles: All you need to know

Working out to eliminate love handles is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of core workouts. A fitness noob would probably just focus on toning up their abs and back, and love handles wouldn't even be on their mind.

However, love handle workouts are extremely important. They help work out and tone the obliques - muscles that are often ignored when it comes to common ab exercises.

Extra weight around the midsection that shows in the form of love handles is a sign of poor health. To get rid of love handles, which are an indicator of poor health in general, you must engage in specific exercises that strengthen the rectus and transverse abdominal muscles.

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Love handles: Exercises you must do

Check out the following exercises for love handles that you must do:

1) Russian twist

Russian twist is an excellent way to target the obliques. (Image via Flickr)

For eliminating love handles, this is a very important exercise. It specifically targets the oblique muscles and can help you lose weight faster by strengthening the muscles and pulling in the abs.

Instructions:

• Put your feet flat on the floor in front of you while you sit with your legs crossed.
• Extend your arms in front of your chest while holding a medicine ball, weight plate, or kettlebell.
• Lean your upper body back 45 degrees from the floor.
• Turn your upper body to one side by alternating the direction of the arms' rotation.
• Hold your legs still, and do 15 reps.

2) Glute bridge

Glute bridge also works out the obliques. (Image via Pexels/Anna Shvets)

You may think that this is not an exercise to be done when working out love handles, but that's not entirely true. This exercise also engages the obliques along with the back and core muscles, which can help strengthen the muscles in the love handles area.

Instructions:

• Recline on your back. Maintain your arms by your sides, with palms down and knees bent.
• Maintain a straight line from shoulders to knees by lifting your hips and lower back off the ground.
• Tighten your buttocks, and maintain that contraction for ten seconds.
• Do 15 reps before lowering yourself back to the starting position.

3) Mountain climber

Mountain climber targets the core in a way most exercises can't.(Image via Pexels/Li Sun)

Looking to get rid of love handles? Try this explosive cardio workout, which is a great addition to your routine when working out love handles. This is a tough workout, especially if you have never done a plank before, but it's all the more effective for that.

Instructions:

• Adopt a plank position with your hands directly under the shoulders and legs stretched out in front of you.
• Keep your head low and feet curled under you. Don't forget to keep your arms free.
• Maintain a vertical line from feet to head.
• Keep your abs contracted as you bring your left knee in towards your right elbow, and lift your left foot off the floor.
• Put your foot back where it was, and do the same thing on the other side. Keep switching sides for at least 20 seconds.

4) Triangle pose with weight

This may just be the best way to get rid of love handles. When working out love handles, the triangle pose is an excellent stretching exercise that tones the hamstrings and sides of the body.

For maximum benefit to the oblique muscles as a whole, try doing this exercise while carrying a weighted dumbbell.

Instructions:

• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and body erect.
• Stand with your left foot forward and right foot pointed inward.
• Extend your left arm overhead while holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in a lateral grip.
• Put your right hand on the ground by bending to the right.
• If you can't quite get to the ground, get as low as you feel safe doing so.
• Maintain an upright posture as you work out.
• Complete 20 reps on each side.

5) Side plank

The side plank is one of the best ways to burn fat. (Image via Pexels/Klaus Nielsen)

One of the fastest ways to lose love handles is the side plank. When working out love handles, this oblique exercise specifically targets the oblique muscles and is great for reducing love handle fat. It's not an easy exercise to do, so beginners might struggle with it.

Instructions:

• Place the lower palm on the floor and body stretched out so that it forms a right angle with the ground.
• Get your other arm up so that it's parallel to the floor.
• Try to maintain the position for 30 seconds before returning to the starting position.
• Repetition is the key to success, so do the exercise multiple times.

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Working out love handles can become quite challenging and repetitive. However, you will see quick results if you pair the aforementioned workouts with a low-calorie diet.

A combination of these workouts, along with some adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can have a significant impact.