What Exercises Will Get Rid of Love Handles?

According to Military.com, the best exercises you can do to get rid of love handles are cardiovascular and resistance-training exercises that build muscle and get rid of fat, as well as targeted abdominal exercises to help firm the muscles beneath the fat. However, there is no magic-bullet exercise that will simply melt the fat off, and, of course, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is also essential in the fight against love handles.

Running

A popular cardiovascular exercise, running can help a person weighing 145 pounds burn approximately 300 calories in 30 minutes, according to Shape Fit, which can result in significant weight loss over time if you stick to a healthy diet. Running is also an effective exercise for strengthening your arms and toning muscles in your thighs and calves.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is an incredibly effective calorie-burning, total-body workout, according to Shape Fit, that is both a cardiovascular exercise and a resistance-training exercise. Jumping rope has added benefits, as well, as it can help increase eye-hand coordination, lateral movement, foot and hand speed and agility.

Crunches

Crunches are basic exercises that target the abdominal area. According to AskMen.com, particular types of crunches, such as elbow-to-knee crunches -- where you cross your body as you move forward, touching your opposite knee and elbow together -- are particularly effective for toning your oblique abdominal muscles and getting rid of love handles.

Swimming

According to Shape Fit, doing the breast stroke can burn approximately 400 calories in only 30 minutes, making swimming an extreme calorie-burning exercise. Swimming is also a full-body exercise, so you will tone and strengthen all muscles while you work on losing weight to get rid of the love handles.

Dumbbell Side Bends

Dumbbell side bends are effective for getting rid of love handles, as they target the muscles directly under the fat, according to AskMen.com. Dumbbell side bends are performed by holding one dumbbell at your side and bending your torso sideways while lowering the dumbbell toward the floor. Once in that position, straighten up to your original starting position using your abdominal muscles. If you are unclear about how to perform a dumbbell side bend, ask a trainer or well-versed friend for a quick demonstration to avoid injury.

Elliptical Training

Elliptical training is an excellent endurance-building exercise that can help you burn a large number of calories in a short time. According to Shape Fit, a 145 pound person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.

References

Article reviewed by Jennifer S Last updated on: Jun 10, 2011

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