Building a 6-pack?

Originally Posted by smw356

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The amount of absolutely terrible advice in this thread is staggering
+7

I would give long odds that the ratio of guys offering you advice to said guys who also have six-packs themselves is nowhere near one to one.

Originally Posted by smw356

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The amount of absolutely terrible advice in this thread is staggering
So what's your advice? I see you recommended squats and deadlifts, but this sounds like stuff that requires going to a gym. Is it absolutely necessary to go to a gym to get a six-pack? I think going to gyms is a waste of time and money. Gyms and weights and all that stuff that was developed fairly recently. So are you saying that only since the 20th century have people been physically fit?

Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock

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So what's your advice? I see you recommended squats and deadlifts, but this sounds like stuff that requires going to a gym. Is it absolutely necessary to go to a gym to get a six-pack? I think going to gyms is a waste of time and money.

Gyms and weights and all that stuff that was developed fairly recently. So are you saying that only since the 20th century have people been physically fit?

Going to gyms are a waste of money? Interesting.

An oldie, tweaked yet again. If it's somehow not satisfying, constructive criticism is welcome.

Originally Posted by Big Jim

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I tried different type of excercises to improve my muscle shape and strength.But I found a little change in muscle. I have been using anabolic steroids since 8 months.Initially I have faced many problems with the side effects of steroids.But after visiting a site I am able to solve all my problems.That site had covered proper prescription to be followed while using steroids.I hope will find better information regarding steroids from that site www.steroid-encyclopaedia.com/

Good luck.

Now dont rage on me there Jim but dont those things "Give you pimples and Shrink your balls?"

Simply doing crunches, in my opinion will do you no good. In fact many professional weight lifters don't even work their abs but run instead. Your goal is to get rid of the excess fat around your waist to do this you should do crunches (and do you weight lifting) first, to burn the sugars in your system and then do some cardio which will burn your fat deposits since your sugars are no longer in you system to be used as a source of energy. Doing crunches alone will burn some fat but primarily sugars. A good idea would be to do crunches/lift in the morning, followed by a jog. I am by NO MEANS an expert but to me this makes sense.

Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock

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So what's your advice? I see you recommended squats and deadlifts, but this sounds like stuff that requires going to a gym. Is it absolutely necessary to go to a gym to get a six-pack? I think going to gyms is a waste of time and money.

Gyms and weights and all that stuff that was developed fairly recently. So are you saying that only since the 20th century have people been physically fit?

People also used to do a lot more physical activity and as well. It may be possible for someone with really good genetics and a pretty active lifestyle to get his bf down low enough and have enough muscle to not look like he was just rescued from Auschwitz, but thats rarely the case and those people wouldnt be posting looking for advice on how to acheive that goal.

1. Proper diet to avoid too much body fat (aim for less than 10%)

2. Crunches, with variations that work lower, upper, mid-section abs to build up your muscles

3. Cardio to burn off fat (again, you need at most 12%, but shoot for less than 10%)

I have a "borderline" six-pack, but not washboard like. I don't do squats/weight lifting/steroids. My body might be different, but I believe just eating right and keeping your body fat will help you see your abs a lot better as long as your muscles are already developed.

Originally Posted by smw356

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squats, deadlifts and proper diet, doing a shitload of crunches will get you nowhere.
Bingo. It's mostly about what you eat.

Originally Posted by Jl24

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My body might be different, but I believe just eating right and keeping your body fat will help you see your abs a lot better as long as your muscles are already developed.

That's a typo, right?

Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock

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So what's your advice? I see you recommended squats and deadlifts, but this sounds like stuff that requires going to a gym. Is it absolutely necessary to go to a gym to get a six-pack? I think going to gyms is a waste of time and money.

Gyms and weights and all that stuff that was developed fairly recently. So are you saying that only since the 20th century have people been physically fit?

In the 20th century, most people in developed countries get far less exercise in the course of their normal day than used to be the case.

Also, the OP specifically asked about developing a defined six-pack, not just generally being "physically fit". The two are not synonymous.

Do you realize taht saying "gyms and weights and all that stuff [were] developed fairly recently" is absurd? Have you ever heard of rocks? Weight-lifting equipment is designed to simulate and refine physical and anatomical processes that have been occurring since well before the 20th century.

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

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In the 20th century, most people in developed countries get far less exercise in the course of their normal day than used to be the case.

Also, the OP specifically asked about developing a defined six-pack, not just generally being "physically fit". The two are not synonymous.

Do you realize taht saying "gyms and weights and all that stuff [were] developed fairly recently" is absurd? Have you ever heard of rocks? Weight-lifting equipment is designed to simulate and refine physical and anatomical processes that have been occurring since well before the 20th century.

+1.

The ancient Greeks used to have a very rigorous training program which included bench pressing another person, carrying logs while running and other various exercises which are reminiscent of modern gyms and modern military training.

Jon.

I had a long talk with a friend with a nice 6-pack about how to get this. I worked out for a long time, ran, etc. I'm very thin, even at 35, and have never shown any body fat. I had and still have good, strong stomach muscles. I'm also what one would define as being 'toned' (not big or even muscular). According to my friend, and according to my experience, much of this depends on genes. Some people just can't quite get that definition.

And I agree, a lot of seriously crap advice in this thread. Yes, of course one needs to get rid of the fat. No one who's fat has a 6-pack. But beyond that, a person needs something that will give them actual definition. I think of all things people are saying here, the point that makes most sense is you'll have to be dedicated, and face the possibility that it could take you longer than a year of hard, dedicated work to even get the potential of having a decent 6-pack. Good luck.

My dad swears by this: when he runs steps or runs in the lake, he always wears a dusk mask over his mouth. He looks crazy, but swears that it works. Then again, he is a world class rock climber who has been climbing for more than thirty years and does it for other reasons than getting a six pack.

Originally Posted by imageWIS

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+1.

The ancient Greeks used to have a very rigorous training program which included bench pressing another person

Ah yes, the Spartan lifestyle...