Real talk: Love handles are a pain in the you-know-what.

And with beach season around the corner, you may want toshrink your waistlineand sculpt a flatter tummy.

Fortunately, we here atETNTunderstand the struggle.

woman measuring waistline and love handles, concept of the best exercise for love handles

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Blasting away love handles offers more than aesthetic benefits; it can also provide a significant health boost.

This punch in of belly fat is also linked to increased breast cancer risk.

And when you’re finished, check out these5 Bodyweight Workouts to Target Flabby Arms.

woman doing dumbbell squat to press, concept of exercises to melt lower belly fat

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What is the #1 best exercise to melt love handles?

So, what exactly is the best exercise for blasting away a stubborn “muffin top?”

According to Masi, it’s squat thrusters.

scale weight loss concept, weight loss mistakes

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They also engage a large amount of muscle tissue to perform the exercise," he tells us.

This exercise also enhances functional strength and athleticism by mimicking natural movement patterns that improve coordination and balance.

“Research suggests there are certain exercises that are better at burning calories than others,” says Masi.

“This includes multi-joint exercises like squat thrusters, which outperform isolation exercises.

Here is Masi’s breakdown on incorporating squat thrusters into your fitness routine.