Love handles are those pockets of fat that sit just above your belt. While the name may be cute, the bulges are not. They can ruin a toned silhouette and prevent you from wearing many low-rider styles of pants and cropped tops. While you can't target fat loss, working the oblique muscles on the side of the torso can help you lose the love handles over time, according to Military Fitness.
Advanced Crunches
Crunches remain the most effective means of toning abdominal muscles. You can use the basics of a crunch to work the obliques and lower back muscles for a more intense workout. According to Military Fitness, you should not attempt advanced crunch routines if you have lower back issues. For a crunch, lie on the floor on your back and cross your arms over your chest. Instead of bending your knees, stick your legs straight up in the air. Raise your shoulders and try to touch your elbows to your knees, pushing down on your abdomen as you rise. Lie back down and repeat 20 times. Then, bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor and cross your right ankle over your left knee. With your hands behind your head, point your elbows out to the sides. Raise your shoulder and touch your left elbow to your bent right knee. Lie back and repeat 20 times. Switch sides and repeat.
Leg Flutters
Accumulated fat on the back pushes forward to add bulk to your love handles. For toned obliques, you also need to strengthen your lower back muscles. To perform leg flutters, lie on the floor or on a mat on your stomach. Place your arms at your sides. Lift your head off the ground and raise your legs. Flutter your legs back and forth, crossing them over one another. Do this for about 20 seconds, rest for 20 seconds and repeat two more times. Leg flutters also can be performed while lying on your belly on a stability ball. The ball may be preferable if you have lower back pain. At the same time, additional core muscles will come into play to help you maintain your balance on the ball.
Trunk Rotations
A medicine ball, kettlebell or free weight adds additional resistance to work the obliques and core muscles to rid your body of love handles. Hold your weight in both hands close to your body about chest level. The American Council on Exercise recommends concentrating on tightening your abs while you perform trunk rotations to protect your back. Make sure your elbows are pointed outward and twist your trunk to the right. Move your head, chest and torso and hold the position for a couple seconds. Then twist to the other side and hold. Repeat 20 times to each side. Increase the power of the rotations once you can easily perform the basic moves by holding the medicine ball straight out in front of you. Keep your elbows slightly bent as you hold the weight at chest level out in front. Twist and hold in the same pattern as before.
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