5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of That Spare Tyre Around Your Waist

Let's be honest… there is nothing 'lovable' about 'love handles'! It's the worst when you're trying to fit into those new skinny jeans, or a cute little crop top.

They're one of the hardest things to get rid of… much to our dismay. And no amount of ab workouts and crunches is going to help ­­– because love handles lie in a very specific group of abdominal muscles that make it really hard to get rid of them.

So apart from eating clean (no, no more late night pizza orders), here are 5 exercises you can do to target your love handles.

Cardio

The thought of 'cardio' is enough to make everyone weep. But don't worry, you don't need to do too much. Just a 30 minute cardio every other day or even six days a week is an effective way to get rid of that extra fat around your belly. It doesn't matter how intense the workout is. Even walking for 30 minutes, 6 days a week makes a big difference.

Woodchoppers

Stand with your feet apart and rest your weight on your left leg. Hold a dumbbell or a medicine ball in both hands and lift it up towards your left shoulder. Then, twist downwards towards your right hip, and pivot your feet and knees with the twist. Raise the weight back to your left shoulder and repeat for 20 reps. Then work your right side for another 20 reps.

Image courtesy: Your Fitnessity.

Russian Twists

Begin in a seated position, with your body in a C shape – so keep your knees bent, feet on the floor and your torso leaning back at a 45 degree angle. Remember to keep your back straight. Hold a dumbbell or a medicine ball with both hands and lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your butt. Then twist your body from the left to the right and back to the left with the dumbbell touching the ground on each side. Repeat back and forth about 50 times.

Bicycle Crunches

Yes, you still need to do some crunches, and it's not going to be easy, but worth it. Start in a standard crunch position ­­– lie on a mat with your knees bent and your hands behind your head. Then, lift your upper body up and raise your left leg, connecting it with your right elbow somewhere in the middle of your body. Without resting your body back on the floor, connect your right leg to your left elbow. Continue this as fast as possible for 30 reps.

Side Plank Hip- lifts

This is probably the hardest one, and requires balance ­­– It's the bane of all exercises, at least for us. Rest on your side, with your elbow, legs and hips on the ground. While keeping your body in a straight line raise it off the ground in a side-plank position. Hold it for a few seconds and lower your body. Repeat for 15 reps and then work on your other side.