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You've probably heard this phrase before. Today, we're going to briefly examine why your abs might remain hidden despite countless crunches and other abdominal exercises.

Everyone Has a Six-Pack

Indeed, it's true. Even a 150 kg man who has never engaged in sports has abdominal muscles. Without them, the stability of your body would be seriously compromised. The issue is not that your abs are invisible; it’s that they are concealed under a layer of fat – more so in some individuals than others.

Which Abdominal Exercises are Particularly Effective?

Looking to build abs? If you perform strength training and exercises like squats, you theoretically don't need to include additional abdominal exercises in your workout regimen, as the abs are already being engaged. Nonetheless, crunches and leg raises are great complements. However, your abs won't become visible if they're hidden beneath a layer of fat. If your abdominal muscles grow, it might even make your belly appear larger since they push the abdominal fat further out. The belief that targeted abdominal training will melt belly fat is a misconception. Local fat burning does not occur.

The Real Deal: Fat Loss

You must be in a caloric deficit, meaning you consume fewer calories than you expend, to reduce your body fat. And ultimately, genetics determine when you will lose your belly fat. For many men, myself included, the belly is the first place to show weight gain. Unfortunately, it's also the last place to slim down during weight loss. So, even if you're already quite lean, you might still need to lose a few more kilos to make your abdominal muscles visible.

Closing Words

With some patience and a proper diet, anyone can make their abdominal muscles visible, even without extensive abdominal training. Genetics play a crucial role in determining when they will be revealed. Some are luckier, and others, like myself, are less fortunate in this aspect.