The lower abs and obliques are two elusive areas when it comes to workouts. While it's not possible to burn fat from only one part of your body, you can select where you'd like to tone muscle. Next time you're wanting to tone the stomach and love-handle area, use a planned workout.
The Workout
This abdominal workout should be used at the end of your cardio or strength-training for the day. Perform each exercise one after the other and then repeat four times.
Alternating Heel Touches
Begin by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Crunch up and return toward the ground, but don't allow you head, neck or upper part of you shoulders to touch the ground. With your arms fully extended just above the ground, bend left and right, reaching your arms past your heels. Count a rep each time you reach with your right hand and complete 60 reps. Performing this side to side alternating motion will target the obliques as long as you remain crunched up with a tight core.
Russian Twists
Sitting up on your butt without letting your feet touch the ground, rotate at your trunk to the left and right. Create a twisting motion and keep your core tight to continue the work on the obliques and also hit the abdominal muscles from top to bottom. Every time you rotate to the right, count that as one rep. Complete 80 reps as fast as possible without stopping.
Straight Leg Swimmer Kicks
Start out by lying flat on your back with your legs straight. Crunch up and keep your head and upper shoulders off the ground. Pick up both feet and hold them 8 to 12 inches from the ground and place your hands at your sides. To complete a rep, kick your right leg up until your heel is above your left foot's toes and do the same with the other leg. Each rep should be completed quickly and never pausing in order to work the lower abs in the most effective way. For this exercise, complete a total of 80 reps.
Side Planks
For the final exercise, perform a side plank on each side for 45 seconds each. Start by lying on you side and hold yourself up by only allowing your forearm and feet touch the ground. As your strength increases, try to push your hips up higher and hold your body while pressing upward using your obliques.
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