# Exercises for strong but flat abs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702 "2022-01-31T21:03:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702/1 "2022-01-31T21:03:33Z")
I do abs exercises on a couple of different machines that basically do a crunch motion, but loaded with weights. I have very strong abs (no visible six-pack but who cares), but my midsection protrudes a bit. This is not fat, this is the abs muscles. What is the best way to work out abs that keeps them strong but also a little bit flatter? A lot of people do planks but I am not a big fan of isometrics. I have heard that part of this could be from pushing the abs out when doing exercises, rather than holding them in, but I have been conscious of that for years and am very deliberate about form. So either I am using incorrect form in spite of it, or using these machines just by their nature results in this type of development. I guess it’s possible that it could be that it is just a matter of body type and there’s not much I can do about it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702/2 "2022-01-31T21:14:34Z")
Stomach vacuums. Just get used to consciously holding your abs in, and working on your posture. I really don’t think it’s possible to work your abs and keep them flat at the same time. But, I’ve been known to be wrong… ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702/3 "2022-02-01T01:03:43Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > my midsection protrudes a bit. This is not fat, this is the abs muscles. How thick is your skin? Paper thin? Or a little thicker? Because, respectfully, I suspect that you may still have some fat that is causing the protruding. And, alas, as a (set of) muscles, you can’t develop your abdominal muscles while also making them flat. But you can continue to burn off body fat which will reduce the size of your belly. > [@beowulff](#): > > Stomach vacuums. Excellent suggestion! You can only really do a vacuum if you have low body fat. > **[How to Do The Stomach Vacuum Exercise – Fitness Volt](https://fitnessvolt.com/stomach-vacuum-exercise/)** > > Flatten your stomach and shrink your waistline with old-school stomach vacuums. Learn why and how to do this simple exercise today! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702/4 "2022-02-01T01:15:27Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Excellent suggestion! You can only really do a vacuum if you have low body fat. - You can do a vacuum, it just won’t show like that. It’s alsohow to to train the [transversus abdominis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transverse_abdominal_muscle) > While it is true that the TVA is vital to [back](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back) and [core](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_(anatomy)) health, the muscle also has the effect of pulling in what would otherwise be a protruding [abdomen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomen) (hence its nickname, the “corset muscle”). Training the [rectus abdominis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectus_abdominis) muscles alone will not and can not give one a “flat” belly; this effect is achieved only through training the TVA.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transverse_abdominal_muscle#cite_note-Dart-3) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercises-for-strong-but-flat-abs/958702/5 "2022-02-01T01:26:05Z")
Be aware that much belly fat is BENEATH the abs, not between the abs and the skin. If I clench my abs, I can feel them just beneath the skin, although I know I have a lot of belly fat.