9 Best Exercises To Lose Love Handles: A 2025 Guide

Is your waistline spilling over your jeans? It’s time to choose the best exercises to lose love handles and stay consistent with them. 

Sometimes, when you aim to lose fat from a specific body part, staying physically active may not be enough. You may need to work on the muscles of that particular body area to tone and shape them. So, exercises to work love handles may become your best friend in this journey of shaping your waistline. 

Are Exercises for Your Love Handles Worth it?

Yes, exercises that target love handles are worth it; the thing is, they need to be part of a proper approach involving dieting and overall fat-reducing methods. Love handles are areas of fat around one’s waist and are very stubborn to get rid of often. Some targeted exercises build up and firm the oblique muscles lying underneath the side fat. 

However, targeted ab love handle workouts are more beneficial when combined with a calorie-controlled diet and regular cardio to burn fat throughout the body. One more thing to remember is that “Consistency is the key.”

We have gathered some effective workouts for your love handles-let’s tame your waistline.

Here are 9 Exercises To Lose Love Handles

1. Side planks
2. V-Ups
3. Kettlebell swing
4. Russian twists
5. Mountain climbers
6. Plank with hip dips
7. Deadlift
8. Bicycle Crunches
9. Woodchoppers

Let’s see how to do these targeted workouts for love handles and lose that stubborn fat. 

1. Side Planks

Side planks target your side abdominal muscles—strengthening the muscles that run along your waistline, where love handles usually form.

Here’s how to do a side plank

• Lie on your side. 
• Place your elbow right below your shoulder and lift your upper body on it. 
• Let your legs stack on one another.
• Now, lift your hips off the ground.
• Hold your body in a straight line from head to toe.
• Hold this position and count for 20-30 seconds. 
• Get down, and repeat on the other side. 
• Repeat this 3 times on both sides. 

2. V-Ups

V-ups engage all your core muscles, especially the upper, lower and side ab muscles. 

Here’s how to do a V-up:

• Lie down on your yoga mat. 
• Lift your arms overhead and keep your legs straight. 
• Lift your upper body and your legs simultaneously. 
• Try to reach your hands towards your feet—forming a V-shape. 
• Focus on your abdominal muscles, and keep them engaged.
• Return to the starting position. 
• Repeat it 10-12 times for 3 sets.

3. Kettlebell Swing

Swinging a kettlebell with both hands not only engages your ab muscles but also works on your front thigh and buttock muscles. It is a powerful body movement that also aids in calorie burn.

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Here’s how to do a kettlebell swing:

• Stand up comfortably.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a kettle-bell with both your hands.
• While hinging at your hip joint, bend forward, keep your back straight and swing the kettlebell between your legs.
• Thrust forward quickly while swinging the kettlebell from between your legs to the front of your chest (shoulder height).
• Keep in mind that your back and arms should be straight. 
• In this manner, swing it again in a down, up, and front manner. 
• You may repeat it 10-12 times for three sets. 

4. Russian Twists

Russian twists especially work on the oblique muscles in your abdominal area.  

Here’s how to do a Russian twist:

• Sit down on your yoga mat comfortably. 
• Bend your knees, flat your feet on the floor, and bend backwards slightly. 
• Hold a gym ball or weights with your hands in front of you. 
• Turn your upper body while bringing the weights/ball to your right side. 
• Twist and bring the weight/ball towards the left. 
• Focus on your ab muscles and keep them engaged. 
• Repeat 12-15 twists for three sets. 

5. Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers can be the best exercise to work love handles, as they engage your core, obliques, shoulder, and arm muscles. It is a form of high-intensity workout that supports overall body fat burn. 

Here’s how to do mountain climbers:

• Get down in a high plank position on the yoga mat. 
• Keep in mind that your shoulders are right above your hands. 
• Bring your knee towards your chest.
• Quickly switch the leg and bring the other knee towards your chest while straightening the other leg. 
• Keep climbing for 20-25 seconds for sets of 3. 

Bonus Tip: If you are already working out and want to complement your efforts, explore effective tips on how to get rid of love handles.

6. Plank with Hip Dips

Why not take planks to the next level to lose love handles? A plank with hip dips focuses on your entire core and helps slim the waist. 

Here’s how to do a plank with hip dips: 

• Get down in a regular plank position. 
• Slowly dip your hips to one side and then bring your body back to the centre. 
• Then, dip your hips onto the other side. 
• Repeat 8-10 times for 3 sets. 

7. Deadlift

Deadlift is another amazing exercise to lose love handles as it allows your waist, thighs, and lower back to work.

Here’s how to do a deadlift: 

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
• Hold a barbell or dumbbells in front of you.
• Bend forward (hinge at your hips), keeping your back straight as you lower the weights towards the floor.
• Drive through your heels to return to standing. 
• Engage your glutes and hamstrings.
• Repeat 8-10 times for sets of 3. 

8. Bicycle Crunches

Bicycle crunches work your side tummy muscles (obliques) while also training your full core.

Here’s how to do bicycle crunches:

• Lie flat on your mat, hands behind your head.
• Lift your legs off the floor and bend your knees.
• Bring your right elbow towards your left knee while you stretch the other leg out.
• Switch sides like you are pedalling a bike.
• Keep going for 12–15 reps per side.
• Repeat 3 sets.

9. Woodchoppers

Woodchoppers target your side waist and help twist and tone your tummy.

Here’s how to do woodchoppers:

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
• Hold a dumbbell (or medicine ball) with both hands.
• Start high on one side of your body.
• Move the weight diagonally down across to the opposite side, like chopping wood.
• Return to the start and repeat 12–15 times.
• Do 3 sets on each side.

All these ab love handle workouts do not just focus on the muscles around your waist but boost your overall metabolism and help burn fat pockets.

Quick Alternatives to Exercises to Lose Love Handles

If you’re seeking faster or more targeted solutions beyond exercise, consider these professional treatments available in Leeds:

• BodyTite

BodyTite is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to melt fat and tighten skin simultaneously. It’s ideal for reducing love handles while improving skin firmness, offering noticeable results with minimal downtime. This treatment is performed by experienced doctors at Yorkshire Skin Centre. 

This treatment also helps reduce the apron belly.

• Fat-Dissolving Injections

Fat-dissolving injections, such as Aqualyx, are non-surgical treatments that target and eliminate stubborn fat deposits. They work by breaking down fat cells, which the body then naturally processes and removes. Multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results. 

• BodyJet Liposuction

BodyJet liposuction employs a gentle, water-assisted method to remove unwanted fat with less trauma than traditional techniques. This approach allows for precise contouring of areas like the waist, making it effective for tackling love handles. Recovery is typically quicker, and the procedure is suitable for various body areas.

These treatments can complement your fitness efforts, providing enhanced body contouring and quicker results. Always consult with qualified professionals to determine the best option for your individual needs.

Tips to Complement Your Ab Love Handles Workout

Getting rid of love handles isn’t just about exercise—it’s about a full lifestyle approach. Here are some key tips:

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Watch Your Diet

• Eat a calorie-controlled diet (burn more than you consume).
• Focus on lean protein, vegetables, fibre, and whole grains.
• Cut down on sugar, processed snacks, and alcohol (alcohol is a big love-handle maker).

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water helps control hunger and keeps metabolism active.

Aim for 6–8 glasses per day.

Sleep & Stress

• Poor sleep raises cortisol, which makes fat cling to the waist.
• Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep.
• Try stress management (yoga, meditation, walking).

Add Cardio & HIIT

• Combine your strength workouts with cardio (running, cycling, brisk walking).
• Try HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) 2–3 times per week for maximum fat burn.

Stay Consistent

• Do 3–4 workouts per week.
• Track your waist measurements every 2–3 weeks instead of just the scale.

Recovery Matters

• Stretch after workouts to avoid stiffness.
• Rest days are just as important as workout days.

It’s Your Time To Exercise To Lose Love Handles.

Now that you have explored the 9 best exercises to lose love handles in 2025, why not take a step further? It’s time to work out to fit into your favourite jeans.

Incorporating targeted exercises like side planks, V-ups, and kettlebell swings into your routine can significantly help reduce love handles. However, it’s important to remember that these exercises require consistent effort, time, and dedication to show results. If you’re looking for a quicker solution to sculpt your waistline, BodyTite, fat dissolving injections, or BodyJet liposuction might be your go-to option.

The first step is to consult an expert practitioner, discuss your goals, and they will assist you in choosing the right option for you. Here’s to a slimmer waistline and a healthy body!

Frequently Asked Questions about Exercises To Lose Love Handles

1. How do I lose my love handles quickly?

You can’t make them vanish overnight. The best way is to eat healthy, move more, and do core exercises. Cardio (like running or brisk walking) plus strength training helps burn fat faster.

2. Which exercise burns side fat?

No single move burns only side fat, but exercises like bicycle crunches, Russian twists, and side planks work the side tummy muscles. Mix them with cardio to see real change.

3. What exercise is best to lose love handles?

The best exercises to lose love handles are V-ups, Russian twists, mountain climbers, side planks with hip dips, and deadlifts.

4. How to burn side fat?

To burn your side fat, try going on a calorie-deficient diet, maintain proper hydration, and perform exercises to work love handles like V-ups, Russian twists, and kettlebell swings.

5. Can squats lose love handles?

Squats are an amazing overall body workout that engages your core, lower back, and thigh muscles. It may help you lose love handles. 

6. Can walking reduce love handles?

Walking, especially brisk walking, is an aerobic exercise that engages the body and heart muscles. It speeds up your metabolism, which promotes overall fat burn that may help reduce your love handles.