Get Rid of Love Handles - The 3 Best Exercises to Get Rid of Love Handles
Getting rid of your love handles doesn't have to the painful chore that many folks make it out to be. In fact there are many exercises you can do to get rid of your love handles quickly and easily.
Here I'm going to show you 3 of the best exercises to get rid of love handles.
Side Twists - An often forgotten and neglected exercise in most routines to get rid of love handles is the good old side twist. You can get a stick or other short pole and rest it behind your head along your shoulders with your hands on either end, and then twist your torso from one side to the other, taking care not to do it too fast, as you won't feel the benefit.
The reason for the pole is to help you maintain a straight back, and keep your legs straight. It%u2019s important to keep your hips facing forward throughout the exercise and not let them twist, as twisting your hips will mean you lose the effect of the exercise and risk injury.
I recommend you start with 2 sets of 20 repetitions. They are fairly easy and a great way to finish a workout. Increase the reps as you get more experienced. The more advanced of you can try an alternative using weights - side bends.
Side Bends - Hold a dumbbell in each hand by your sides, with your feet facing forward and a shoulder-width apart. Without allowing your back to curl forward, bend your torso slowly to one side, until you feel a little stretch in your side muscles. Slowly straighten back up into the start position, and repeat the exercise going the other way. One full movement from the left side to right side and back to the middle equals 1 repetition.
I recommend you start with 2 sets of 10 repetitions using light dumbbells, and see how you get on, increasing weight and repetitions as you go.
This exercise is best performed slowly and controlled, with the added benefit of the extra weight being held in each hand. They are great for toning and tightening the oblique muscles on the sides of the abdominals, as well as the lower back muscles. This will help you to get rid of love handles, and improve your posture and back strength.
Twisting Crunches - These are an excellent way to get rid of love handles and if you've ever done crunches before you'll probably know what these are.
Lay with your back on the floor, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Cross one leg over the other so the foot is resting on the opposite knee. With your hands on the side of your head, slowly crunch your abdominals as if you were trying to lift your chest toward the ceiling, and as you reach the apex of the crunch twist your torso towards the knee that is lifted off the floor. Slowly roll your torso back to the start position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, and repeat on the other side, switching your legs over. 1 set of 10 - 20 repetitions should be fine to begin with, increasing as you gain experience and strength.
The numbers are not so important as the form that you maintain during the exercise to get rid of love handles. Many people make the mistake of pulling on their head and bending their back during this exercise. By doing that you will risk injury to your back, not work your abdominals and obliques, and not get rid of love handles. You MUST lift your chest towards the ceiling, as you'll feel the benefit immediately. Try to maintain tension in your abdominals all throughout the exercise to get an extra boost.
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