Will An Ab Machines Give Me A Six Pack?

Ab machines can produce some results for toning the abdominal muscles; however, there are several flaws in using ab machines that will hold people back.

These machines will help target and strengthen your abs, but not your overall core. Ab machines are highly specific and target a muscle or small group of muscles in the abdominal area. This will help strengthen them, which is great, but if you have high body fat, they will still be hidden under the layer of fat.

First you need to lose that layer of fat. For most people, a six pack will start to show around 10% body fat. Does this mean if you don’t work your abs and your body fat drops below 10% they will show? Most likely. You’re abs are there, as they are a part of your core, and are used to stabilize, keep you up right, and many other daily tasks (sitting up, posture, turning at the waist) we take for granted.

So how do you get to 10% body fat so you can show off those abs? Well we have guides here for helping to burn body fat and calculating how much body fat you currently have. Also, healthy eating is really important, as you want your body to use up this stored energy.

But fret not, if your body fat is over 10%, it’s still good to work your abs! An ab machine will help you get started, but really focusing on your whole core will produce better results. Not surprising, a strong core will help your training significantly, and help you produce better results.

Don’t forget, just because you want to strengthen your abs for that six pack, there are also your obliques (sides), back, upper and lower abdominal area. Here are some simple suggested movements you can even do at home before starting your day, or finishing it.

• Crunches (many varieties available)
• Planks
• Side planks
• Side dips
• Leg raises
• Back extensions

There are a plethora of other core exercises available to help build up those abs, and help lose weight at the same time to have that six pack develop.