Love Handles and Abs Workout

Exercise 1: Twists with a Bar

Standing with your legs a little further than hip-width apart, place a light barbell across your shoulders. Twist to one side, then twist to the other side, continuing back and forth with a brisk motion. Do not lean forward or backward. This movement is disregarded by many as ineffective but that’s because most people do it improperly. It’s important that the twist isn’t executed in a leisurely fashion. Move quickly from side to side and keep your abs and obliques tight! Total time: 5 minutes.

Exercise 2: The Vacuum

Inhale deeply. As you exhale, suck the stomach in as far as it will go and hold it for a count of ten. Not only does this simple exercise strengthen the abdominal wall, it improves posture and lung capacity.

Exercise 3: Side Bends

It isn’t a good idea to do side-bends with a dumbbell. Instead, place your hands behind your head and bend from side to side, contracting the muscles at the waist. If that’s too difficult, keep your hands on your hips. Do 50 bends to each side.

Exercise 4: One Sided Bends

Stand with your right hand on your hip and your left hand outstretched above. Bend to the right and extend the outstretched hand over your head and as far to the right side as possible. Keep this position and “pulse” with tiny bends. Stay on this side for one minute. Return to an upright position, switch arm positions, and repeat on the opposite side. These little movements keep the obliques under constant tension.

Exercise 5: Lateral Leg Raises

This is similar to a simple leg lift. Lie on your side and lift your leg toward your head, contracting the oblique muscles. Do 20 reps on one side then turn directly to the other side and do an additional 20 reps. Once that’s completed, immediately repeat the set.