Minister of Offence
Registered User
That's exactly what I'm saying, when someone asks "How do I get abs?", the common answer is just "get to a low body fat percentage".
While that is true to some degree, it also depends on the person. Someone who's been lifting weights for a few years will probably see his abs at a low body fat percentage, whereas someone who is walking into the gym for the first time probably won't. Saying it's all about low body fat percentage, while it being true, it doesn't paint the full picture. While basically everyone needs to be at a low body fat percentage to visibly see their abs, that doesn't mean everyone will have visible abs while lean.
I've seen the "it's all about low body fat percentage" said to people who have obviously never lifted before. While the statement itself is true, it's very unlikely that person will see abs at a low body fat percentage. That's why I mean there's more to it than just low BF, you have to actually strengthen the muscle for it to protrude.
That goes for every part of your body as well, if someone said they want their biceps to be more defined... you could say just get to a lower BF %. However, someone who's never worked out a day in their life is going to have skinny arms, and not bicep/tricep definition at low BF, yet for some reason people think abs are just there for everyone and it's all about getting to a low BF. That's all I'm saying... there's more to the picture than -just- low BF.
Well, I mean there's some truth to the answer of "just get low body fat". The skinny 10% guy in that picture would have visible abs if you gave him the lighting, posture, angle, skin tone and a little tensing of his abs. Just like the muscular guy? Hell no. The muscle is playing into the difference big time too, but the other variables in this stuff aren't playing skinny guy any favours either.
I'm not even really saying you're wrong either. If a person asks, how to get abs like "insert celebrity here" the answer is only "get low enough body fat", it's also get similar muscle mass too.
Truth is, lean gets easier with more muscle. I would argue that there probably are ways to get shredded with visible abs with ****** levels of muscle mass, but considering the amount of perfection at that point you'd need, and considering the truth that who the **** would want to go the trouble. There's a genetic component as well. It's such a weird thing to talk about because no one out there is aspiring to look like Christian Bale in The Machinist.
I mean, if he tensed under the right lighting I suppose we could argue he's got a visible 6 pack. But again, wtf are we talking about. He's closer to dying then ever getting laid.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=chri...#imgdii=G_UWEulSfvKbRM:&imgrc=jyvpTm8V4Zfp5M:
You need muscle mass in order to get nice abs, and yeah good core training is gonna help. And some do, especially after they've sat in desks for years, have a hard time learning to use their abs. You also can't believe everything you read from internet message board posts -- especially anonymous ones. On the Internet everyone's got the answers. In fitness especially, you don't know much until you've actually done it. Some may not like that one, but it's very true...and I've been on both sides of that coin - talking about stuff I knew nothing about then actually having done it and then having a much better perspective of what it takes. How many people do you know that have had serious success in fitness? Not many. However, walk on to a fitness message board and it seems like everyone's got it. They don't.
End of story, really, yeah you've gotta be lean and I'd say that's the tough part, in most cases. Although a lot of guys do need to come to grips with the fact that 15-30 pounds of muscles may be separating them from their goals...there's still n insane amount of guys that have spent years in gym with enough muscle mass because they like being in the gym...but body fat holds them back from the 6 pack.