Love handles are pockets of fat located at your midsection on either side of the stomach over the oblique muscles. Getting rid of love handles first means doing cardiovascular exercise to reduce your body fat content. At the same time, you can perform certain exercises to target the oblique muscles and make them stand out after the fat is gone.
Pilates 100s
This classic Pilates exercise is simple and can be done right in your living room. To do the Pilates 100s exercise, lie on your back on the floor. Keep your legs together and straight and lift them off the floor at a 45-degree angle. Lift your upper body off the floor, keeping your back straight, so your body forms a "V." Extend your arms out in front of you and wave them up and down 100 times, taking a breath every five to 10 counts.
Fitness Ball Twists
This exercise requires a large fitness ball that will support your weight and a weighted medicine ball. Sit on the medicine ball and lean back slightly so your lower back is in contact with the fitness ball. Hold the medicine ball in both hands and extend your arms. Twist your body as far to the right as you can, keeping your arms extended. Twist back so your arms and the medicine ball are pointed to the ceiling, then twist to the left.
Push-up Twists
This variation on the classic push-up targets the oblique muscles and will have your love handles area burning in no time. Get in the standard push-up position and twist your lower body to the right, pointing your knees as far to the right as possible. Hold this position for five to 10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat, this time twisting your body to the left and pointing your knees to the left, holding for five to 10 seconds.
Roll and Curl
This is another exercise that requires the use of a large fitness ball. Place your feet on the top of the fitness ball and your hands on the floor in a push-up position. Bend your knees and roll the ball towards the right side of your chest. Hold for five seconds, then roll the ball back to the starting position. Roll the ball towards the left side of your chest and hold for five seconds, then roll back to the starting position. Repeat on each side.
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