Both men and women battle love handles, or fat bulges along the sides of the abdomen. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is the best way to eliminate love handles, but targeted toning exercises can strengthen muscles, create shape and define your waistline. Incorporate these oblique toning moves in your workout for a smaller waist.
Aerobic Exercise
Burning fat is essential to eliminating an unwanted muffin top or those love handles. Include at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise in your routine most days of the week, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Choose an activity you enjoy, whether that's walking, jogging, biking or a dance-inspired fitness class. If you have more weight to lose, consider upping your cardiovascular exercise to help support healthy weight loss.
Crunches
Crunches are an easy and effective way to tone the abdominal muscles. There are many variations on the classic crunch, some of which focus specifically on the love handles, or the oblique muscles at the sides of your waist. Lay on a mat or carpeted floor, with one hand behind your head. Crunch up and to one side, twisting as you come up. Bring your free hand to the outside of the opposite knee. Repeat, as appropriate for your fitness level and workout goals, then switch sides. Add challenge to this move by using a stability ball instead of the floor. Reverse your crunches by raising and twisting one or both legs rather than the upper body.
Oblique Flexion
Oblique flexion exercises, or dumbbell bends, are one of the most effective options for spot toning your waistline. You'll need medium- to heavy-weight dumbbells. For most women, this means a 10 to 15 lb. dumbbell, with men using a somewhat heavier one. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inward. Stand with your feet spread about shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent as you lower the weight in your right hand down your right thigh, then stand back up slowly. Repeat for a total of 15 repetitions on each side.
Plank Variations
Plank poses look like a full push up and are a strenuous and challenging balance and core exercise. The side plank variation works the muscles along your sides, toning and strengthening your waist. Lay on one side, with your body aligned in a straight line. Come up on your forearm, lifting your hips off the ground. Intensify this exercise by lifting your body onto one hand rather than your forearm and maintaining the position. Repeat for the other side.
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