Are 6-Pack Abs A Myth?
Are you chasing the washboard abs of the gods by chasing mythical information? Just like a unicorn is fake, so are these tips about abs!
Paul Starnes NASM CPT, FNS. CES
Everyone wants flat abs that you can iron your shirt on. Many have the false idea that to get abs you only have to do ab exercises. Let’s get right down to it, godly abs are not as hard as everyone makes it out to be. However, they do require dedication, commitment and healthy eating. I’m going to debunk some of the myths out there.
- Some Guys Just Have The Best Genetics
First of all, this is the biggest excuse out there. Stop blaming your genetics for why you don’t have or just can’t see your abs. Genetics determine how your six-pack looks, not whether you get one or not. Hard work determines the latter. It boils down to one thing, and one thing only….how bad do you want it? Eating a proper diet with dedication and commitment will guarantee you 100% abs. Why is that? Well, because everyone has abs, but they are either stretched out from a sedentary lifestyle or, they are just covered by a layer of abs.
- You Can Outwork A Bad Diet
LOL! If you believe this then I’ve got a habitable planet in outer space that I want to sell you. If you’re pounding down beers on happy hour or waiting to Friday to party your face off and get “hammered” I’ve got news for you guys, abs aren’t going to happening. You have to be smart about this; calories your body doesn’t expend it stored as fat. And where do those calories go? That’s right, for many of us it covers up the abs.
- This Will Burn Your Belly Fat!
Ok, here’s a BIG fact about the human body. You CAN’T under ANY circumstances just target belly fat. That’s not how the body works. It’s not possible to spot reduce fat on specific parts of the body. When you lose body fat it will come off of the whole body. Notice I said BODY fat levels, not AB fat levels. Your body will only let your abs show when you lose enough body fat all over your body.
- 4 Pack, 6 Pack, 8 Pack?
Remember I said everyone has abs, genetics just determine how they look. Don’t get upset if you can only see a 4 pack but the friend can see a 6 pack.
- Train your abs correctly
When the body fat lowers, abs will show. Let’s train the abs so they look their best when the fat comes off. The abs develop well with TUT. TUT = Time Under Tension. Slow and steady wins the race and protects against spinal and back injury. Now, you don’t have to go at a snail’s pace, but work at a moderate to slow pace for maximal gain. Using momentum for abs exercises, any exercise really, will limit your muscle building potential.
- Give Your Abs A Rest Day
This one is a bit tricky. You can work your abs everyday, but you have to be careful. It’s one of the most important muscles in protecting the spine. What you can’t do is high volume workouts on the abs everyday. It’s ok if you want to make planks your daily exercise routine finisher and maybe throw in some variations. But, it’s not ok to do billions of crunches, leg raises and windshield wipers every day. Gives your abs rest like every other muscle.
I hope this information helps you if you were making any mistakes on your quest for abs. Now go out there and get those abs that will make you look like a greek god!
Remember, form over function, grind your way to success and NEVER let anyone tell you what’s possible for you in life! Go get it!
-Paul
“I don’t know what you’re up against, I don’t know what you’re facing. But here’s what I do know: You’ve got something special, you’ve got greatness in you, and I know it’s possible that you can live your dream.” Les Brown
