Abs

[Striated]

Originally posted by blkturbo
6-pack..........you either have one (and can build it) or you don't.

It's like how some guys are built with big calves, while others have zero calves and have no chance.

Hmmm....

Doesn't everyone have a six pack?

I once told my Uncle (former Mr. Ontario) that I do ab exercises and he laughed at me. Boo Hoo. He told me that abs are a matter of diet. Remove the fat, and PRESTO! there they are.

I think he's on to something...

[addict]

2 times a week
all weighted

[blkturbo]

Originally posted by Striated
Hmmm....

Doesn't everyone have a six pack?

I once told my Uncle (former Mr. Ontario) that I do ab exercises and he laughed at me. Boo Hoo. He told me that abs are a matter of diet. Remove the fat, and PRESTO! there they are.

I think he's on to something...

OK.....but that's like asking "doesn't everyone have calves?" or "doesn't everyone have quads?" Of course we do, but are we all beautifully developed once we hit the gym?

It's in the genetics that allow the muscle groups to even be visible (in a muscular, well-developed way) in th first place.
I have a natural 6-pack that I never work on.....and it's the same 6-pack I've had since I was 18 (31 now).
On the flip-side, even when I'm on and "big", I don't have a huge barreled chest or big monster quads or big traps I come from a tall and thin father and a thin mother......and small-framed grandfathers (too much small genetics against me for real size obtainability).

As far as abs specifically, they are mostly hidden by fat that some skinny, 6-packed people right off as bad diets and laziness. But if you think about it, a fat person trying to loose the stomach fat and chizzle it down can be as hard (or impossible) as a skinny person trying to gain 40lbs of solid muscle without juice (and then look good on top of that).....it will either occur or it won't.
If it was as easy as your uncle makes it out to be, the USA probably wouldn't be packed full of obese people, and we'd be seeing more Arnolds running around.

In the end, it's all genetic.....that's why everyone has their good areas they love and the bad areas they hate (about themselves).

[Striated]

Thanks for proving my point.

Genetics plays a role, sure.

Have you ever watched that TV show "Survivor"? Due to their caloric constraints, all the men (by the end of the 30 days) have visable abs. Sure they could make them look marginally better if they did crunches too (which I doubt they did, in order to conserve energy) but this is an example of my uncle's perspective.

Bodybuilders should do both. The greatest factor in visible abdominal definition is how much fat is on them. This is mainly controlled though caloric intake vs. caloric output.

Sure, you have some people with freaky genes, but that's really the exception. And if you have a 2 inch layer of fat over your abdominal region... you'll never see those abs no matter how many exercises/movements you do.

My uncle never said it was easy... au contraire. Getting your BF percentage low enough to clearly see abdominal definition is not an easy enterprise at all, especially when you eat fast food and get zero exercise everyday. Doing 500 situps in one day: now that's easy.

In the end, it's a compliment of many factors:

Genes
Hormones
Pharmacology / Enhancement
Diet
Exercise and Rest
Training and Knowledge
Psychology and Determination

[blkturbo]

Originally posted by Striated
Thanks for proving my point.

Genetics plays a role, sure.

Have you ever watched that TV show "Survivor"? Due to their caloric constraints, all the men (by the end of the 30 days) have visable abs.

In the end, it's a compliment of many factors:

Genes
Hormones
Pharmacology / Enhancement
Diet
Exercise and Rest
Training and Knowledge
Psychology and Determination

Well, I dont watch it anymore but I know what you're saying.
However, I doubt the naturally heavy/fat men and women have these 6-packs after that month or so Sure, the heavy ones loose weight, but not to a 6-pack.
The guys you're noticing are probably the ones that were somewhat average build already (rather than 40+yrs old and fat).

As far as combined factors, I agree also......but the genetics is the ultimate determinating factor - it's a *****
Coming from a skinny family, I can say that my sister and parents eat *whatever the shit we damn well choose* (sweets, fat, calories etc) on a *daily basis* and not suffer from any weight gain in the gut or hips.
It's great for vascularity when I'm on top of my game, but to gain major mass is where I will fall short every time (unless maybe I juice till I drop dead).