A six-pack ab is a visible separation of the rectus abdominis muscle into six distinct segments. According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, the average body fat percentage required to see a six-pack ab is 10-15% for men and 18-25% for women.
What Is A Six-Pack Ab?
A “six-pack” refers to a well-defined set of abdominal muscles, specifically the rectus abdominis, that appear as six distinct muscle segments or bumps on the front of the torso. This term is popular in fitness and bodybuilding culture, and achieving a six-pack is often considered a symbol of a strong and lean physique.
Here’s more detail about the rectus abdominis and how to develop a six-pack:
- Rectus Abdominis: The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that extends vertically from the pubic bone to the ribcage. It’s responsible for flexing the spine and is a key muscle in maintaining core stability.
- Visible Definition: The six-pack appearance occurs when this muscle is well-developed and there’s a low percentage of body fat covering it. The muscle segments become visible as raised lines or bumps, typically in three pairs, giving the impression of a six-pack.
- Achieving a Six-Pack:
- Diet: A crucial aspect of revealing a six-pack is reducing body fat. This is primarily achieved through a balanced and calorie-controlled diet. A caloric deficit, where you consume fewer calories than you burn, helps reduce overall body fat.
- Cardio Exercise: Incorporating cardiovascular exercises, such as running, cycling, or HIIT workouts, can help burn calories and reduce body fat.
- Strength Training: Targeted core exercises, like crunches, leg raises, and planks, can help strengthen and build the rectus abdominis.
- Consistency: Achieving a six-pack requires consistent exercise and healthy eating habits over time.
It’s important to note that genetics play a role in how visible or prominent one’s six-pack may be. Some individuals naturally have more defined abdominal muscles, while others may need to work harder to achieve the same level of definition. Additionally, overall health and fitness should be prioritized over aesthetic goals, and consulting with a fitness professional or healthcare provider before embarking on a specific fitness regimen is advisable.
Is It Worth To Get Six-Pack Abs?
Getting six-pack Abs depends on your goal or aim to get it. Getting it is worth it if you work on the following tips:
1. It is challenging to achieve the goal of getting six-pack abs. Hence, it would help if you were strong physically and mentally for this tough challenge.
2. Create and follow some strict and disciplined habits until you achieve your desired goal.
3. Dedication is required to get a six-pack Abs. Start with a mindset, and if not prepared, then avoid working on it.
It is incredibly challenging to achieve the physical goal of getting six-pack Abs and is a goal to transform your body.
Diet:
Diet plays a vital role in getting 6-pack Abs. Your diet should entirely consist of meat, eggs, and vegetables. Besides, you can eat dark chocolate (composed of 92% chocolate), broccoli, coconut oil, etc.
Avoid the below-mentioned foods till you achieve your goal of getting the 6-pack Abs
- Bread products, grains, pasta.
2. Fruits.
3. Alcohol.
4. Desserts like sugar candy or any form of sweet.
5. Dairy items, such as ice cream, milk, cheese, etc.
6. Five to six meals a day.
7. Breakfast should contain 35% protein. Bananas, oats, and eggs are the best for breakfast.
8. Around 80% of carbs have to be taken before the evening.
9. Night meals should include more fiber, including raw veggies.
Best Abs Workout For Men:
1. Hardstyle Plank.
2. Hollow extension-to-cannonball.
3. Bird dog.
4. Dumbbell side bend.
5. Barbell back squat.
6. Dead bug.
What Is The Best Daily 6 Pack Ab Workout For Men?
It is important to pick up the right workout to get six-pack Abs. You need to work carefully on the upper and lower Abs muscles. Workout has to be done around three times a week with a healthy diet.
Some of the best daily 6-pack ab workout for men to achieve this physical goal are the following:
Table 1: Abs Workout Plans
S.No | Plans To Get Six-Pack Abs | Workouts | Duration |
1 | Plan A | – Sit-ups: 15-20 repetitions – Jack-knife sit-ups: 15-20 repetitions – Flat bench lying with leg raises: 15-20 repetitions – Flat bench lying and pull-in: 15-20 repetitions – Toe touch: 15-20 repetitions | Three times a week |
2 | Plan B | – Interval training of high-intensity – Isotonic exercises with movement – Isometric exercises of non-movement | Daily |
3 | Plan C | – 10 Sit-ups – 10 twists (Sitting) – 10 Leg raises – 10 Circles of raised legs – 10 Reverse crunch – 10 windshield wipers – 20 Flutter kicks – 20 Crunches- Air bike – 20 Crunches- Knee to elbow | Level-One- 3 sets Level Two- 5 sets Level Three- 7 sets *Rest up to two minutes in between |
4 | Plan D | – Seated Ab circles- Clockwise – Seated Ab circles- anti-clockwise – Scissors – Marching planks – Starfish crunch – Russian V tuck twist – MC with knee x over | Daily seven minutes for one minute per exercise |
5 | Plan D | – X-man crunch – Reverse crunch | Daily for 1 min until you reach 6-10 minutes |
6 | Plan E | – Pike – Cable side bend – Weighted crunch – Overhead crunch – Ball planks – Windshield wipers | DailyS |
Making Abs Visible:
Abs are the visible abdominal muscle, i.e., the outcoming of your lower body fat, which ranges from 13-14%, while some people can make it up to 16%. These muscles require time to develop until they reach your set goal. Some strategies need to be followed for muscle simulation, which are the following:
1. Calculate the calorie maintenance by splitting proteins, fat, and carbs into macros.
2. Initialize your calorie deficit by 10%, and continue till you start deficits up to 20%.
3. Choose the food sources that will keep you full for long.
4. Consume more fibers, as they take time to digest.
5. Track your diet.
Diet Plan For 2000 Calories:
The time to get six-packs depends on the number of efforts you are putting in to achieve your desired goal. However, it is advised to keep the fat loss period slow and steady.
The diet plan for 2000 calories is explained in the following table:
Table 2: Diet Plan For 2000 Calories
S. No. | Meals | Food |
Meal One | Breakfast | – 3 cooked eggs in coconut oil(1tablespoon) – 2 tbsp almond butter/Peanut Butter -2g Fish oil |
Meal Two | Lunch | – Boneless chicken breast (8oz) – Broccoli – one cup – Butter – one table spoon |
Meal Three | Meal (Before workout) | -Oats whole-grain – half cup |
Meal Four | Meal )After workout) | – Rice cake – Creatine – 5 grams – Whey protein – one scoop |
Meal Five | Dinner | -Beans – 50 grams – Chicken breast – 8 oz -Avocado – small or half – Green food – one scoop |
There is no best exercise to get six-pack Abs. It is the reducing amount of fat process. It also depends on the right nutrition and a regular schedule of different exercises.
Abdominal Muscles:
Abs of the muscles, which are needed to develop properly through working on them in the following ways as described in the table below:
Table 3: Abdominal Muscles And The Exercises
S.No. | Muscles | Location | Exercises With Duration |
1 | Transverse abdominis | These muscles are the deepest ones, located under obliques. They wrap around the spine to protect and make you stable. | – Planks – 20-30 seconds holds sets of 10-12 repetitions – Stomach vacuum |
2 | Rectus abdominis | These muscles are well-known as the “six pack,” present along the front of the abdomen. | – Hanging leg raises – 4 sets of 6 – 12 repetitions – Cable crunch – 4 sets of 10-12 repetitions – Ab roller |
3 | Internal abdominal oblique | These muscles run in the opposite direction and are found under oblique. | – Cable wood chopp – 4 sets of 12 repetitions per side – Russian Twist – Windshield wiper |
4 | External abdominal oblique | These muscles are found on the front and side of the abdomen. | – Cable wood chopp – Russian Twist – Windshield wiper |
Exercises For Abs:
It is important to exercise for your Abs effectively. You need to burn total Abs, upper Abs, and lower Abs muscles with a small motion range. This helps in keeping the tension extra focused on the muscles of your Abs. Hence, they don’t relax.
Exercises for Abs are mentioned the below-mentioned table:
Table 4: Exercises For Abs
S. No | Abs | Exercises |
1 | Total Abs | – Crisscross – Flutter kicks – Side plank – Plank – Arms up crunch – Seated crisscross |
2 | Upper Abs | – Crunch – Heel Touch – Knees up crunch – Cross over crunch |
3 | Lower Abs | – Legs lower – Superman – Pendulum – Reverse crunch |
Tips To Achieve Success In Making Six-Pack Abs:
1. Work on lowering the overall percentage of your body fat.
2. Work out for your Abs effectively.
3. Interval cardio of 5 to 9 sixty to ninety challenges. It can be done for 20 minutes in the morning to burn more body fat.
4. Focus on nutrition that can help lose body fat.
5. Set your goal and work on it to achieve it.
A precise goal is the key to optimal success in making your six-pack Abs perfectly. The best way is to pick up the workout plan you can do effectively for both lower and upper Abs.
FAQs
Q1. What Is Six-Pack Ab?
Q2. What Is The Best Exercise For Abs?
Q3. What is Rectus abdominis?
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-ways-to-get-abs
https://www.insider.com/guides/health/fitness/how-to-get-abs