Love handles develop due to fat deposits around the abdomen and hips. People might strive to reduce love handles by engaging in routine exercise and keeping a healthy weight. Individuals may also want to avoid wearing too tight clothes to hide their love handles.
Moreover, love handles aren’t inherently dangerous or something to be embarrassed about. Individuals are not required to attempt to remove these if they do not desire to. However, love handles may indicate obesity, which may increase the risk of certain illnesses.
A functional workout that strengthens your core from numerous angles is the ideal exercise for love handles—and belly fat generally. Continue reading this article, and we’ll go through what causes love handles and what are the best exercises to get rid of love handles.
In This Article
What Causes Love Handles?
Fat retention is the root cause of love handles.
In general, fat cells form when your body consumes too many calories or does not metabolise as many calories as you consume. These fat cells might become visible when they concentrate in certain locations, including the hips and waist.
Moreover, fat may build everywhere in the body, but some factors enhance the probability of fat retention in the abdomen, lower back, and hip. Factors that lead to the development of love handles include:
- Age
- High-fat diets
- Sleep deprivation
- Hormones
- Lack of exercise
Best Exercises to Get Rid of Love Handles
These workouts can help you get rid of the love handles and tone up your body significantly. As a result, you should consider the best exercises to get rid of love handles listed below.
1. Bicycle Crunch
The bicycle crunch is performed by lying on the back with your hand behind the head and bending your knees. This is one of the best exercises to get rid of love handles and the most efficient exercise for losing weight on the sides and abs. Try to connect the point of your elbow to the knee, keeping your body lifted above the floor at all times.
2. Knee Drop
This workout will also provide an excellent stretch for your lower back while preparing the body there. Knee drop is also one of the best exercises to get rid of love handles. Squeeze a ball between the knees while simultaneously activating your lower abdominal and inner leg muscles. Controlling the ball is vital because it keeps both legs together throughout the training regimen.
3. Mountain Climbers
Doing mountain climbers for several minutes is a beautiful method to burn the core muscles in a short period. Even better, this workout could be done almost anyplace with little to no equipment. Throughout the exercise, be sure to maintain your weight equally distributed on both hands/feet. This enables the shoulders, chest, and arms to support the upper body while similarly exercising your core.
4. Crab Kick
The crab kick exercise is another great way to want the waist and belly muscles working. Sit on the mat with your knees bent. Maintain a tight grip on your feet and the hands behind the back, fingers pointing backwards. Slowly raise the hips and push the right leg high. Continue kicking while switching your legs one at a time. During the exercise, ensure the hips don’t contact the ground. Keep for 30 seconds and then 3-4 times more.
5. Side Planks
Side planks begin with a person laying on one side and using one arm to support oneself. They construct a straight line by stacking one leg on top of the other. The next lift their hips off the ground for 30 seconds and retain this posture. They then do the same thing on the opposite side.
Some of the Best Exercise Mats
Here are some of the best exercise mats you should consider:
1. Exercise Mat for Bicycle Crunch
It may be used for activities such as sit-ups, bicycle crunches, and even jogging on the spot. This exercise mat is also exceptionally lightweight, making it simple to fold and store when not being used.
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Brand | Pure2Improve |
Weight | 1 kilogram |
Material | SYNTHETIC |
Dimension | 61.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 centimetres |
2. Mat Pad for Knee Drop
This mat is great for use in conjunction with your Yoga, providing additional cushioning and pleasure while executing positions. It provides an excellent surface for posture maintenance and regular home exercises. Moreover, this tiny, lightweight workout mat is used by everyone and is ideal for men and women.
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Brand | Yoga-Mad |
Weight | 200 Grams |
Material | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate |
Dimension | 61 x 25 x 15 centimetres |
3. Mat for Mountain Climbers
These cushioned training mats are constructed from superior grade latex-free, phthalate-free NBR foam and are precisely intended to give ideal support and comfort throughout a routine exercise.
Furthermore, these long-lasting yoga mats are ideal for outdoor and indoor usage, are simple to put up, unroll, and, most significantly, keep level on the floor with no curling of the edges.
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Brand | Proworks |
Weight | 850 Grams |
Material | Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Foam |
Dimension | 183 x 60 x 1 centimetres |
4. Mat with Eyelets for Crab Kick
It is incredibly sturdy and has a non-slip bottom, making it the ideal aerobic mat for both studios and homes. It’s perfect for all studio work, as an exercise mat for individuals on the go or in studios with little storage space.
EYELETS are ideal for use with the workout mat rack; instead of rolling your mats to store them, string them up and let them breathe. Clean with a moist towel and a mild detergent.
Meanwhile, the NON SLIP substance provides a perfect surface for holding Pilates or Yoga positions. This small, lightweight workout mat is used by everyone and is ideal for women and men.
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Brand | Fitness Mad |
Weight | 0.1Grams |
Material | Vinyl |
Dimension | 100 x 50 x 0.9 centimetres |
Love handles may be caused by excess body fat, particularly in the abdomen. Increased exercise and a better diet may help reduce love handles as part of total fat reduction, but it’s essential to note that this can take time.
Furthermore, stick to the best exercises to get rid of love handles, and you’ll gain both the physical and underlying health advantages in the end.

Gerda Villasenor
At the helm of our fitness journey is Gerda —your go-to guide for all things athletic, training, and gym. Fusing a passion for wellness with a love for a good workout, Gerda brings you a blend of expertise and motivation. Get ready to break a sweat and discover the transformative power of fitness with Gerda.