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I keep hearing that so much of it is genetic, even if you lower your fat level really really low. Does anyone know anyone or can post a picture of what someone looks like who has really low body fat but doesn't have a six pack? Just wondering what's the best I can do if I just don't have the genes ...

Ive seen some bloated short guys that manage to get a six pack so yeah I guess.

Not everyone has musculature that allows "6 packs."

Study up on anatomy for more.

I don't think everyone can get them - I've had no luck! Even at my thinnest, 187 lbs (which is scary thin at my height!) I didn't have visible abs unless I really flexed - and even then they were like a two pack, not six! When I was like 195lbs with strong abs, still no six pack...

For me, my stomach gets more concave and my ribs more pronounced, despite having good core strength. The only way I could imagine my body having a 6 pack is if I could do crunches with truck parked on my chest.

The abs are a muscle like any other. If there's fat surrounding the muscle you won't see the definition so you have to burn the fat off as well as strengthen them as you would any other muscle which includes several exercises hitting the midsection from different areas and angles. If someone's naturally thin, but doesn't do strengthening to the region you're probably not going to see any definition. Just doing loads and loads of the same exercise isn't going to cut it.

From personal experience: After intense starvation, my abs looked fantastic! But this was before I discovered Oreo-flavored ice cream.
Because of my shitty body-type, I don't think that I could have achieved that with a healthy lifestyle - sucks but true.

If they have pec implants, surely they have ab implants..........

OR
check out this new technique

If I can get some abs showing anybody can.

Nothing is true for everyone.

For most it's just a question of eliminating the fat covering them, which takes only a little to obscure even impressive abs. I think for most people, if there's no fat at all (which is not as common as we'd like), just some crunching would do, or even natural abs might look great.

Trouble is, that's the place where men gain excess weight first, and lose it last, and the last pound is always the hardest. And for those blessed with no excess weight at all, in many cases it may be because they're hard-gainers, meaning it's just as hard to build up their muscle as to gain fat, so they might not get abs to show much either.

You might as well go for it though. If you find some kind of expert on this, he'd still want to know what kinds of workout you've already tried and what results you got before he can make a guess as to what's possible.

From looking at your before & after RJ photo, i think you could definitely get a 6 pack. I'm not quite there, but I'm getting close. I think the trick is doing situps every day, & pushing yourself even when you feel the burning feeling.
I think if you do situps 5-6x a week (morning & evening, 250min.+ situps ea time w/various ab exercises using a mat) & push yourself, you could probably see a six pack within a couple of months. I've got a mat at home which makes doing the exercise convenient. As far as food goes, just try your best to have a healthy diet. I'm at 6.2% bodyfat, on the edge of 5.2% bodyfat. I was told by a personal trainer that you need to be at 5-6% body fat to see a six pack. Try doing a body fat test at your gym, it's usually free. I'd recommend doing the caliper test, it's pretty accurate. They usually test you in 3 areas, your leg, stomach & chest. Just ask them what measurement you have to be at in your stomach to have a six pack. Then just every couple of weeks check in to see where you're at, that's what I do. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or if you need some motivation. I actually have a workout buddy group online where a bunch of guys & I motivate/help each other to reach our fitness goals & keep them. If interested, just go to twitter.com, get a free a/c & follow sabsinla. Good Luck!

Always remember that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.

Something I'm learning on this front is that working out the obliques can help define the abs. They get overlooked a lot of times, but work them out consistently and I think you'll see some good results.

And more to the point of the OP: to directly answer that question, there's only one way for you to find out for sure. Do the work and see what happens.

Good luck!

yes any one can get a 6 pack it depends on how hard u work on it

Momentum_Play saidSomething I'm learning on this front is that working out the obliques can help define the abs. They get overlooked a lot of times, but work them out consistently and I think you'll see some good results.

And more to the point of the OP: to directly answer that question, there's only one way for you to find out for sure. Do the work and see what happens.

Good luck!

Avoid weighted oblique work. Obliques are a fast growing muscle and you can easily end up with a thick looking waist as a result of big obliques.

I think it depends on how literally you mean six-pack. I think most everyone can get ab definition that will show. But the abs appear differently on different people. Some people can have great abs, but they'll appear as, say, a four-pack rather than a six-pack. I don't think that means the person doesn't have low enough bodyfat or has failed to work his abs sufficiently.

I have never had a visible 6 pack and I most likely never will because of my body type and I am not going to kill myself to get a set either. My primary concern is the percentage of visceral fat there surrounding my organ. A flat, healthy stomach is my goal and that will be good enough for me.

dr_jackl,

You are right... much of your basic musculature is determined by genetics.
You have MUCH to be proud of and you look really great!
Your body is healthy with low body fat percentage and good definition.
Because of your particular muscle/bones and somatotype, showing an actual six pack abs would require really working hard and fighting what is your natural
body.

You should be VERY proud of how you look now.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Based on the variety of responses, it seems there's a lot of interpretation to what my question "Can everyone get six pack abs?" means. It can mean:
- on the extreme end: "Can everyone get a solid 8-pack that you can rest your pinky in the crevices?" or
- on the basic end (which is what I meant): "Can everyone get any sort of visible definition where there are noticeable lines of a 4-pack?"

I'm wondering if people who are saying "no," are only saying "no" to the first question, and if not, what do they look like when they're body fat is really low.

The people saying "yes," as I've heard time and again say to do core exercises and most importantly, watch nutrition, which I've been very diligent about and have had great success with. So I'm continuing with that.

Finally, a personal response to GWM. I appreciate the compliments and the pep talk . However, I'm really not sure about the argument of being "natural" because I don't think the state of my body now is what my natural state would be. My natural state would have my body with a little bit of pudge because I really enjoy good food that's not necessarily optimal for the functioning needs of my body. I look great now, and if I make an effort to change my lifestyle as I have been, this can be very natural. But what's not to say adding some washboard abs can't be natural as well?

The majority of men can get six pack abs, but the shape and size can have alot to do with genetics, and like one poster added it what you eat that is the most important. Yes there are men like slaton7 who can eat junkfood and have great abs-ah youth!!

I could never get a six pack. Know why? Cuz I have an 8 pack. That's right bitches, I'm different.

Right now you can't see them. I'm currently protecting their visibility with a thicker than normal skin. But I'll show them off someday.

I used to base my fitness on the visibility of my abs... and while it still is true, somewhat, as that is usually the last place I drop the padding (as it is for everyone, because having fat there it to insulate at protect vital organs) I'm not as hung up on them as I was.... cause I'm a naturally thick guy. I will get "ripped" somewhat when I lean out. I'm just fine with a solid strong stomach without the definition if I am bulking or getting bigger.

From my own experience, I say that no, not everyone can get 6-pack abs. I may be wrong. But, I've worked out for more than 20 years, started out thin, and did every sit-up, crunch, and other exercise in the book, and never could get much of a 6-pack, at all.

i can get a 2 pack. ha!

dont sweat it.

there are certain supplements that ARE NOT illegal yet that you can get that will help the process.....you still have to do the work. Check out Clembuterol

Webster666 saidFrom my own experience, I say that no, not everyone can get 6-pack abs. I may be wrong. But, I've worked out for more than 20 years, started out thin, and did every sit-up, crunch, and other exercise in the book, and never could get much of a 6-pack, at all.

I agree. From my experience as well as what I've observed in other guys in sports growing up, it really does seem like ultimately it's a matter of genetics and just how a person's metabolism is, how a person's body stores fat, body type, etc. People can do things to manipulate what they've been given but it has limits.

I know some guys that are really lean and they haven't done anything to be that way and then other guys who obviously do and they aren't like that. Or guys living similar lifestyles but their bodies just aren't the same, like one lean and the other so-so.


You can see it in pictures of guys online, even amongst various lean guys, like their muscle structure is just different from person to person; small banded abs, huge ones that stick out easily, some that are symmetrical, others that are uneven, more subdued, etc.

It's like how some guys have really pronounced v-shaped muscles on their hips and others don't. You can tell that for some guys, it's just how their body is and that it's not so for others.

yeah..anybody can have abs but its not always 6 and symmetrical

I thought everyone has abs, It's just a matter of getting them to be visible.

Justmi saidI thought everyone has abs, It's just a matter of getting them to be visible.

That is very common misconception.

Anto said

Justmi saidI thought everyone has abs, It's just a matter of getting them to be visible.

That is very common misconception.

I think someone told me this.

Yes, you can! I always wanted 6 pack abs. I did tons of ab exercises and got nothing. Then I changed my diet and continued with the ab exercises. Now I have them. I'm not totally ripped, but I have them.

Justmi said

Anto said

Justmi saidI thought everyone has abs, It's just a matter of getting them to be visible.

That is very common misconception.

I think someone told me this.

Like a doctor or human physiology student? Don't believe them, they prey upon a person's hopes and dreams!

I don't think that I can. I can get definition but not the 6 pack. If it is possible for me, I think that I would have to get way too think in order to see them. I remember scanning thorough the tv channels last week and they were showing before and after photos of people using some kind of diet product. I don't even remember if it was a supplement or a machine. Anyways, one thing that I noticed is ever after picture, their bodies were all cut up but there face aged tremendously. It is like at the end, they went a step too far.

Thankfully, you can many on RealJock that are able to do it without going to far.

I'm fine with my flat stomach and the definition that I have. I also keep working on it but don't expect to ever have a 6 pack.

I'm not willing to take medicine in order to get them either.

I was born without one. I have never see it in my entire life

Right food, right diet, right exercises all mixed in with hard work, discipline, some research on your own body type and health and I'm sure you will get what you want.

Keep in mind that you can't have what others have. Some things come easier for others so as long as you keep that in mind and can be satisfied with the results of what you do to obtain you desired goal then you should be fine.

"Genetics" is not excuse to give up. Just try different ab exercises. Eventually you'll find the right ones that will get your abs to respond. And of course, eat right and lose the extra fat. This will all take time and a lot of effort.

Try doing Swiss ball crunches, cable crunches, and hanging leg lifts. Try working your abs twice a week, instead of once a week. Try some other exercises that indirectly utilize your abdominal muscles.

I stay away from ab machines. They just don't work. One in particular that I don't understand is the one you lay down on, and it has handles that you push to make your upper torso "crunch" forward. People that use this thing turn it into an arm workout by overly using the handles. And then they wonder why they can't get a "6-pack" after doing 100 crunches on that thing.

I'm trying. Getting pretty damn close too... I can see all but the bottom set.

I have been able to get there with some strict dieting....also found a topical cream believe or not called Body Tone from LeverageFor_ that has really helped with love handles and lower ab fat.

I've always been lean and done plenty of ab work in the gym. Stomach was hard and flat but never a six-pack. So when I turned 50, I decided that a goal was to get a six-pack. I asked some guys online what they did to have these amazing six-packs. I was told to cut the carbs (which I love).

I cut my carb intake to about 20-25% of my normal intake. Within a couple of weeks, my abs started popping out. So, diet is critical from my experience. So how badly do you want them is always the question and what are you willing to do for them.

Once I got them, they seemed less important to me. I just wanted to know that I could do it. I still love my carbs.

I would hope so

I agree, its the diet. Reducing my carb intake significantly helped me. I started out going to abs class but seemed to overwork my muscles by going almost everyday. I saw the best results when I started doing weighted ab exercises.

I had a buddy who would work abs with me, same exercises and same intensity, and never saw results in his abs...while I saw big results during that time period. So in my mind, genetics does play a role.

Is the number important? Some have 8 pack, some have 4 ... at the end all can have defined abs if work out enough..

5537B00B saidFrom personal experience: After intense starvation, my abs looked fantastic! But this was before I discovered Oreo-flavored ice cream.
Because of my shitty body-type, I don't think that I could have achieved that with a healthy lifestyle - sucks but true.

If they have pec implants, surely they have ab implants..........

OR
check out this new technique

hahaha i love natalie.

I'm not sure I'd want one if it made me look like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/26/irpt.6pack.abs.dinant/index.html?iref=newssearch

he says he eats well, but the photos tell me otherwise.

TR_Latitude10 saidI'm not sure I'd want one if it made me look like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/26/irpt.6pack.abs.dinant/index.html?iref=newssearch

he says he eats well, but the photos tell me otherwise.

DAYUM ! That's just too skinny IMO ! Homeboy needs a cheezeburger !
Then we reward him by putting him on display at Pride NY ?! That's sad !

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TR_Latitude10 saidI'm not sure I'd want one if it made me look like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/26/irpt.6pack.abs.dinant/index.html?iref=newssearch

he says he eats well, but the photos tell me otherwise.

lol wow that guy doesn't look so healthy ... haha

I like how it's mostly people with 6-packs saying anyone can...

Very interesting.

It's more difficult for some, easier for others. Furthermore, some believe that having some genetics of a native american/northern heritage make you more prone to storing body fat especially on the stomach. Which I would believe considering when I had 8% body fat and was doing crunches hanging upside down... they still didn't show.

I'm considering implants.

pjp201 said

TR_Latitude10 saidI'm not sure I'd want one if it made me look like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/26/irpt.6pack.abs.dinant/index.html?iref=newssearch

he says he eats well, but the photos tell me otherwise.

lol wow that guy doesn't look so healthy ... haha

That looks like the super-snort'n'rave diet to me...

Personally, saying that not everybody can get abs just gives way to people being lazy and saying "it's not even worth the effort cuz i prolly cant even get abs"

I'm pretty confident that everybody can get 6 abs to show.

Right... because if you don't have a 6 pack you clearly aren't healthy

Yeah, it's possible. Is it the healthy thing for everyone to do? No - I don't think so. I don't think having a reduced body fat for protracted periods of time is good for the body, I don't think reducing the ever so evil carbs for the sake of a 6-pack is a good idea for everyone.

Personally? I can't because it could kill me if I took my body fat that low again and reduced my carbohydrate intake to do so.

track_boi saidPersonally, saying that not everybody can get abs just gives way to people being lazy and saying "it's not even worth the effort cuz i prolly cant even get abs"

I'm pretty confident that everybody can get 6 abs to show.

It's not realistic for everyone. It's a matter of genetics ultimately and how a person's body stores fat. Not everyone even has the same muscle structure or metabolism even.

One person can have 6 or 8 pack abs without trying for example, while another person might have to have an extreme diet and workout routine just to try and achieve the same thing.

dr_jackl saidI keep hearing that so much of it is genetic, even if you lower your fat level really really low. Does anyone know anyone or can post a picture of what someone looks like who has really low body fat but doesn't have a six pack? Just wondering what's the best I can do if I just don't have the genes ...

No...a four pack yes.

Anto said

track_boi saidPersonally, saying that not everybody can get abs just gives way to people being lazy and saying "it's not even worth the effort cuz i prolly cant even get abs"

I'm pretty confident that everybody can get 6 abs to show.

It's not realistic for everyone. It's a matter of genetics ultimately and how a person's body stores fat. Not everyone even has the same muscle structure or metabolism even.

One person can have 6 or 8 pack abs without trying for example, while another person might have to have an extreme diet and workout routine just to try and achieve the same thing.

Hmmm...an interesting postion. I'm currently in the process of stripping fat, so if I get a six pack, I'll post a pic.
I think I'm on my way. I suspect track_boi is correct bar extreme age or previous extreme fat (without a tummy tuck).

QUOTE AUTHOR GOES HEREJason Dinant chows down 16 hard-boiled egg whites, one and a quarter pound of meat and four cups of vegetables, sprinkled with an occasional carbohydrate

16 hard-boiled egg whites a day? Hmmmm. Yes, that sounds really healthy. I don't think I get through six eggs a week I certainly couldn't face eating 16 each day for the sake of something people won't see except when I'm on the beach.

redheadguy said

QUOTE AUTHOR GOES HEREJason Dinant chows down 16 hard-boiled egg whites, one and a quarter pound of meat and four cups of vegetables, sprinkled with an occasional carbohydrate

16 hard-boiled egg whites a day? Hmmmm. Yes, that sounds really healthy. I don't think I get through six eggs a week I certainly couldn't face eating 16 each day for the sake of something people won't see except when I'm on the beach.

This is part of my point. I've known people who have 6 pack abs and they didn't have to diet for it, at all. People just store fat differently, variable muscle structure, varying metabolisms.

Why are people trying for 6 pack abs? Go for 8, unless you are just being lazy! ;p