How the heck did they get their name? There’s nothing cute about love handles. In reality, a lot of us spend a lot of time trying to get rid of or at least shrink these areas of fat around our hips that we don’t want.
“Muffin tops” is another name for love handles. Both of these words sound nice, but they actually mean extra weight and fat around the sides of our hips. They make rolls and bulges that we don’t like and that often show through our pants and skirts.
It’s not possible to specifically lose body fat around the waist, but doing both fitness and strength training may help you lose weight in this area.
Why Love Handles Appear
When you eat more calories than you burn, fat cells build up and stay in your body. This is what causes love handles. Some parts of the body, like the lower back, hips, and stomach, tend to store fat more than others.
There are many things that can change how body fat is distributed and may lead to love handles, such as
- Hormones
- Stress and not getting enough sleep can cause muscle loss and changes in body makeup as we age. Not doing enough physical exercise can also cause these problems.
- A bad diet and lack of nutrients make fat build up.
- Health problems and medicines
Five of the best exercises to get rid of love handles
On their own, love handles are not dangerous. But being overweight or having a lot of fat around the middle may make you more likely to have some major health problems.
The good news is that you might be able to get rid of those annoying stomach rolls if you do cardio, ab routines, and weight training all at the same time.
Our recommended love handle workouts are
1. Abdominal Twists
This practice while sitting down is a good start. This is one of the most famous ways to work out your love handles. It’s also known as Russian Twists. It can work out your abs, core, and obliques while also slimming your middle.
Do this exercise without an object at first if you have never done it before. You can then hold a hand weight to make it harder once you get used to it.
2. Bicycle Crunches
One of the best workouts for love handles and obliques that a lot of people do is the bicycle crunch. This exercise move works both the shallow and deep core muscles, making it a good mix of cardio and strength training.
3. Leg Windshield Wipers
If you’re sitting down, keep your legs straight up. Then, twist your spine and move your legs from side to side. One of the best ways to build strength in your middle is to do this workout.
4. V-Ups
This side fat workout is great for building strength, stability, and fat loss in the hips and lower abs. To do V-ups, lie on your back and lift both your upper and lower body into the shape of a V at the same time.
You can make the V-up harder by holding a free weight like a medicine ball or dumbbell while you do it. You should start with a few reps because this ab exercise will make you feel sore the next day.
5. Side Planks
Planks are never on anyone’s list of favorite exercises, but they do work!
A basic side plank is an advanced exercise for building your core that will help you get a strong bottom and middle. Start slowly and build up your energy so you don’t give up on this useful move that can also test your mental toughness. You might not want to quit if you work out with a fitness teacher.
Why Fit Body Boot Camp?
You might be able to do these exercises at home, but we suggest that you join a boot camp to get better at form and stay motivated to lose those love handles. In addition, you should do exercise to help you lose the extra fat.
To get stronger, burn more calories, and lose weight, boot camps are the best way to train. Boot camp workouts are different, though, because they focus on useful training for the whole body.
Strength training and exercise are both important if you want to lose weight around your middle and get rid of that muffin top.
When you come to Fit Body Boot Camp, our 30-minute Afterburn workout can help. The original Afterburn Fit Body Boot Camp program at our gym is a workout that will change your life. Our Afterburn FBBC program mixes specific workouts based on science and technology so that your body will have a faster metabolism in the hours after you train.
People often give up on their workouts when they are at home because there are so many things that they want to do. Instead, come to a Fit Body Boot Camp near you and see what we have to offer:
- All fitness levels welcome.
- Positive community
- Fun body-toning workouts
- Certified fitness coaches
- Support and accountability
- Results you’ll be proud of
- No intimidating equipment
- No figuring it out alone.
A Final Thought
Watch what you eat, make sure you burn more calories than you eat, and work out your abs and heart under the guidance of a qualified exercise professional. Your love handles will start to go away.