Metairie Residents: Lose Your Love Handles & Kiss That Spare Tire Goodbye

Most of us know that love handles are not nearly as wonderful as they sound in the name. Love handles are deposits of stubborn fat that cling to the sides of your abdominals and upper hips. For many Metairie residents, love handles are something that they would rather not have around.

There are many causes for the development of love handles. Many people report putting on extra weight after meeting a new partner; some people gain them through pregnancy, while others have always just had a little bit of extra fat. Traditionally, this area can be a challenging part of the body to tone. You don’t have to resort to extreme measures to get rid of your love handles. Here are tried and true methods to reduce your love handles and get your midsection back on track.

Interval Training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective at burning fat than standard cardio. Rather than steadily running for several miles at a time, mix up your routine with periods of intense work and rest. The type of interval program you choose may vary. You can apply the work and rest intervals to your current running routine. You may wish to pick up a jump rope or even use weights. In any event, here are the steps to achieving a HIIT workout:

• Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Alternate between 30 seconds of intense exercise and 30 seconds of recovery.
• As you improve, you can work your way up to 90 seconds of work and rest.
• Do 6 to 8 reps of this pattern.
• Cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.

Get in a killer interval training session with any one of our multi-gym setups and trainers

Don’t Overload on Cardio

Now that you have your cardio routine down, keep in mind that cardio alone isn’t enough to lose your love handles. Many people who exercise don’t have enough muscle mass. There is a common misconception that piling on the cardio is the best way to lose fat. The truth is you can lose weight in other parts of your body through cardio and find that your mid-section remains the same.

Interval training along with weight lifting will help you lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. This is the most effective means of toning your midsection and having the most impact on your body’s overall appearance.

Toss Your Old Abdominal Routine

Standard abdominal exercises like crunches and sit-ups target the muscles around the lower spine. In order to really strengthen your core muscles, focus on moves like planks and hollow body holds instead. These exercises burn fat around the stomach at an increased rate.

For an effective ab workout, check out the Ab Coaster CS3000. It has an ergonomic design and mimics the spine’s natural flexion.

Circuit Training

Your abs are at the forefront of your mind and may end up being the focus of your entire routine. Do yourself a favor and work on some other areas of your body at the same time. Toning up other parts of your body will draw attention away from your torso; it will also give your body a more balanced and symmetrical look.

Your beginning workout plan can include two or three total body workouts per week. To get the full effect of circuit training, include at least 5 exercises which target different muscle groups. An example would be 1 exercise for the lower body, 1 for the upper body, 1 for the abs, 1 single leg and 1 single arm. Complete the circuit a total of 3 times, with 8 to 10 reps per exercise.  If you still have energy or time at the end, you can incorporate 10 minutes of HIIT cardio.

You Are What You Eat

The saying goes, “Abs are made in the kitchen”. Eating properly is just as important as training hard when it comes to tightening up your abs. The more consistent you are with your routine, the quicker you will see results. It’s important to note that your love handles did not appear overnight and will likewise fade gradually, over time.

It will be more difficult to lose your love handles if you have sugary or carb-heavy foods on a regular basis. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while; it’s perfectly fine to have a cheat meal once per week. Your diet should mainly consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and lean protein.

Ready to Get Started? Contact us Today!

At Fitness Expo Stores we have all the latest and greatest makes and models of the fitness equipment you need to lose those love handles fast and get in the best shape of your life. From free weights to workstations, elliptical machines to cycles, we carry it all.