Don’t Love Your Love Handles 5 Simple Exercises To Lose Em
Love handles – the slightly more romantic term for “fatty side cushions”. Yeah, nobody every called them that, so it was a hand’s down win for the first option. Over the course of history, a person with large love handles and a protruding belly was considered to be a catch. After all if it’s excessive food that makes us gain weight, then back when we actually had to hunt for our meals, those with more weight were considered healthy and wealthy. A lot has changed since then, and now we’re all looking to get into shape. Here are 5 simple but challenging exercises you could do to carve away those annoying love handles.
Hanging Leg Raises
Equipment: A sturdy horizontal bar.
Instructions: Grab onto the bar and then hang there with your legs in the air. Push your legs together and then either lift them up to your chest or push them out straight in front of you. Make sure to keep your arms straight and try to prevent yourself from swinging.
Reps: 8-10
Sets: 3-4
Russian Twists
Equipment: A medicine ball or anything with some weight.
Instructions: Sit with your butt firmly on the ground. Hold the medicine ball with both hands. Then lift your legs slightly off the ground and bend your knees. Slowly move the medicine ball from one side of your body over to the next by twisting your body. Make sure not to lower your legs or your back. Let your arms work and your love handles burn.
Reps: 10 per side
Sets: 3-4
Bicycle Crunches
Equipment: A mat or the floor.
Instructions: Lie flat on your back like you’re preparing to do some sit-ups. Next lift your legs straight out in front of you and place your hands on the sides of your head. Now move your left elbow (while you’re still holding your head) to your right knee. The two should meet just above your belly button. Release your right leg and repeat the exercise with your right elbow meeting your left knee. That’s one set.
Reps: 15 per side
Sets: 3-4
Side Planks
Equipment: A timer and a mat.
Instructions: Lie down on your side and prop yourself up on one elbow. Then place one leg straight over the other and lift your hip off the ground. Keep yourself in a straight line while you hold that position for 30 seconds. Once you’re done, switch sides and do the same for the other.
Reps: 30 seconds
Sets: 3-4
Regular Planks
Equipment: A mat or the floor.
Instructions: Similar to the previous exercise, lie down facing the ground and prop yourself up on both elbows. Push your legs out straight behind you and lift your hips off the ground. Maintain a straight and stationary position for the full sixty seconds. Make sure your belly or butt doesn’t start to cave in as it gets more difficult.
Reps: 60 seconds
Sets: 3-4
