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How do I get six-pack or washboard abs?

By Paige Waehner, About.com

Updated: January 31, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Abs

Abs

Paige Waehner

Question: How do I get six-pack or washboard abs?

Answer: Where is the one place you tend to store extra fat? If you said your abs, you're not alone. Genetically, many of us hoard extra fat around our bellies and it's difficult to get rid of. If you want flatter abs, get the facts and learn the right way to reach your goals.

How do I get six-pack or washboard abs?

The first thing you need to understand is this: we ALL have six-packs! Six-packs aren't 'created' by doing ab exercises...they already exist. Don't believe me? Take a look at Figure 1 (above) for a peek at what your abs really look like.

The reason most of us can't see our abs is because they're covered by a layer of fat. What this means is that:

  • Doing ab exercises to achieve a six-pack is an impossible goal
  • The only way to see your six-pack is to reduce your body fat
  • The best way to reduce your body fat is with cardio, strength training and a healthy, low-calorie diet

This doesn't mean that ab exercises serve no purpose--strong abs support your spine and protect your back. However, keep in mind that your ab workout is just one part of a complete program when it comes to getting a six-pack. For more information on this, check out more FAQ's about your abs and get even more details in my article The Truth About Flat Abs.

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