I recently started an exercise regimen and have found that I am really enjoying myself. Lately, I’ve started to see and feel some real results but I can’t help but notice that my abdominal muscles aren’t really becoming more defined or toned - they’re just getting stronger. What I want is that coveted washboard abs/six pack/Brad Pitt look. I’ve looked into it and even asked a few trainers, but I am getting a lot of conflicting information.
Is the ability to develop washboard abs a genetic gift or is it possible for any Regular Joe to obtain them with hard work and perseverance. If so, what is the best method? Is there one specific (or group of) exercises that will do it?
A fatty layer over the muscles will fill in the details of your muscle definition; until you lose enough body fat that that layer isn’t thick enough to do that, you’re not likely to get too well-defined. Remember that the fat doesn’t belong to the stomach just because that’s where it hangs out; fat is an indicator of how much fuel your body is keeping in reserve, and you need to get your fuel reserve down to a lower level in order for that fat to go away. Eight million crunches won’t make the fat on your stomach go away (specifically), they just contribute to a better physical condition which will cause your body to lower its fat content overall.
My bodyfat is on the low side of normal already, and I’ve got some visible definition in my abs, but I’d like more.
Is there any way to target the area where the fat gets lost?
You can’t target where fat is lost, short of liposuction or flensing. You can, of course, target where you build muscle. Keep doing the crunches, remember to do your cardio and lay off the burgers and beers!
bah , i was really thin from no fat once kept on doing crunches and other assorted things to induce pain to my
abs and got all the way down to 8 st and there was still
a layer of fat covering my abs , if i went any lower in weight I’d be deemed unhealthy via my BMI which is why i don’t bother too much just keep happy , but then you can do
a cheat which is popular in Europe , they got this piece of card with abs shapes in less opaque paper and opaque paper for the non abs shapes , then you go lay in the sun with this on your belly for a few hours and it looks like you have real abs but they aren’t!
Another testimonial to fact that meth-amphetamine addiction will NOT lead to washboard abs
Bah , i’m just small framed and short heh the loss of weight was spurned by anger and me working it off heh
and when at 8st everybody thought i was ill , wasted hard work
Whether you can show a 6-pack or not depends on how well you can devellop the muscles in question and how well you can reduce the fat layer over them (AKA total body fat). Everybody doesn’t have the same abilities in these areas; it’s not exactly a level playing field. Some people through no effort on their own part naturally carry very little fat and can get rid of any they do accumulate easily. The other end of the scale are the guys who jump rope and swim 8 hours a day and still look uncut and smooth (instead of rippley) even though they are in awesome shape. One encouraging thing is that just about everybody can make noticable improvements. Stay away from diuretics and those freaky diets bodybuilders go on to eliminate water and stuff - they ain’t for the amature (or health-consious at all).