Flat vs. Ribbed Abs

kapoorpk

So, having lost the 76 pounds by now, I do have a flat belly with, what appears to be, an outer frame of a six pack visible on my belly. My abs feel rock solid to the touch and don't have much fat left on it, making me think that my ab muscles should now be visible. But, the outer frame is but no ribs to make it progress towards a six pack.

Is it a matter of getting to a lower BF percentage or do I need to perform a different exercise to progress into developing that look?

For ab workouts, I do machine assisted weighted crunches, Planks and air-cycling.

How do I progress from a flat and hard stomach with this six pack outer frame to the full six pack?

james6998

I actually have the opposite issue, i have think meaty abs that are still covered by the remaining fat i have. Sqats, Deadlifts, heavy resistant weight training all work on massing up the ab thickness. Keep in mind abs need weight resistance with contractions in order to grow like any other muscle. Genetics also determines what hand we get dealt when it comes to abs, visibility, placement, and if in fact you will only show 2, 4, 6, or even 8 pack. Google ab genetics and you will see all the varieties of abs and compare yours best you can.

kapoorpk

I actually have the opposite issue, i have think meaty abs that are still covered by the remaining fat i have. Sqats, Deadlifts, heavy resistant weight training all work on massing up the ab thickness. Keep in mind abs need weight resistance with contractions in order to grow like any other muscle. Genetics also determines what hand we get dealt when it comes to abs, visibility, placement, and if in fact you will only show 2, 4, 6, or even 8 pack. Google ab genetics and you will see all the varieties of abs and compare yours best you can.

Thanks...hmm...that means, not everyone can get to the 6 or 8 pack. Its different for all. Interesting.

kapoorpk

For what it's worth, I like the flat stomach, no abs (or minimal abs). Not all ladies swoon over the ripped six pack look...just putting that out there.

Sure, good point for women. But, still an open question to be further researched for myself. Thanks.

james6998

the worst part is you don't know whats genetically there until you actually cut down. the way I see it I got a 50 50 chance of getting a half decent looking set of abs

DavPul

Is it a matter of getting to a lower BF percentage .....

yes

jwdieter

Genetics are pretty important for abs. Lots of potential results. But if you're flexing and not seeing any definition up front, it's probably a body fat percentage issue still. May be loose skin too.

kapoorpk

Well, I am down to 18.2% now, for perspective, I began at 32%. Now the goal is 15%. At least, I've got to be patient enough to see what pops at 15% BF before I conclude its genetics. I think.

james6998

If it makes you feel any better, the % of people that have genetics that won't show abs at all are so very low. While i am losing my remaining BF I am hitting the heavy weights for my abs. Time i see them, they should be fairly think indeed. Slow and steady we don't want to look like skeletons lol.

DopeItUp

Well, I am down to 18.2% now, for perspective, I began at 32%. Now the goal is 15%. At least, I've got to be patient enough to see what pops at 15% BF before I conclude its genetics. I think.

Generally you won't see your abs until at LEAST 12%. Lots of people have to go even lower (8-10%) to get a real six pack going.

taeliesyn

I actually have the opposite issue, i have think meaty abs that are still covered by the remaining fat i have. Sqats, Deadlifts, heavy resistant weight training all work on massing up the ab thickness. Keep in mind abs need weight resistance with contractions in order to grow like any other muscle. Genetics also determines what hand we get dealt when it comes to abs, visibility, placement, and if in fact you will only show 2, 4, 6, or even 8 pack. Google ab genetics and you will see all the varieties of abs and compare yours best you can.

Thanks...hmm...that means, not everyone can get to the 6 or 8 pack. Its different for all. Interesting.

Yep, and it's even possible to be uneven in the abs.
If I ever get my bf% low enough again, I will have a 7pack.. the ab style of an 8 pack on one side, and a 6 pack on the other.

cdahl383

I've always heard you needed to get down to around 8-10% bodyfat to see your abs really well. That said, I've never gotten down that low ever in my life yet, I've had keg abs most of my life thus far.

ndj1979

Well, I am down to 18.2% now, for perspective, I began at 32%. Now the goal is 15%. At least, I've got to be patient enough to see what pops at 15% BF before I conclude its genetics. I think.

i am about 13% and i have an outine of a four pack without flexing..but when I flex I can tell they are there ...

You just got to keep eating in deficit, lifting, and you will get there ...once you get sub 15% it is a painfully slow process...your body naturally wants to hang on to fat...survival mode and all ...

kapoorpk

Thanks folks. Well, one of the most helpful thing learned here was the BF% where the packs start showing. So, I've got a little bit more to go to get to my next milestone of 15%, and then sub 15%, closer to 10%. In the mean time, as James suggested, will keep up my rigor on progressing my lifts.

Thanks all.