Of course, we all have our own interpretation as to what defines an ideal stomach. However, I don’t believe many people would deny the fact that six-pack abs make it perfectly clear as to how a good midsection should look. My point is that so few people even consider the possibility of an eight-pack.
Can You Really Have Eight-Pack Abs?
If you’re asking yourself this question right now, don’t worry because you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. The truth is, because the abdominal area consists of an upper, a lower, and an oblique section, we can have an eight-pack although the last pair of muscles remains largely out of view for most people.
The oblique abdominal muscles are located on the sides and it’s these which give the waist a tapered shape. Both the upper and lower abs consist of multiple segments of muscle but of course it’s the lower abs below the belly button which cause the tapering towards the pelvic region.
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As with the upper abs, the lower abs are also divided into four segments and when the fat is burnt away from this area your abs become visible. Be forewarned though as the lower region has a reputation for being extremely difficult to define.
Don’t get me wrong because I’m by no means saying that an eight-pack is easily obtainable, but I am saying it’s possible so long as you pay attention to:
• Diet
• Strength training
• Attitude
How Are These Three Linked to an Eight-Pack?
First of all, if you can actually see somebody’s six-pack, it’s evident they have a very low percentage of body fat. Of course, in order to have such a small amount of fat indicates that it’s the diet which makes it possible for a six-pack or eight-pack to be visible.
The only way to make your abs show up is by making some radical changes to your diet. Ideally, fats should be kept to a bare minimum while at the same time consuming plenty of complex carbs and protein. Skinless chicken and lean beef can provide all the protein you need.
Anyone who’s already started working towards having an eight-pack will be well aware of the fact that strength training goes hand in hand with getting there. For the majority of people, the most common training used in the beginning is crunches and sit-ups, using no additional weights.
Of course while these exercises are ideal for beginners, you’ll need to try different approach when you’re ready to bulk up and when that time arrives, it’ll be time for you leave those floor exercises and get on the weight machine instead.
Exercises for Eight-Pack Abs
Weight Assisted Crunches
Start off with a light weight held against your chest at first and do your crunches as you would without weights. As your abdominal muscles become more developed you can begin increasing the weight and reducing the repetitions.
Weight Assisted Sit-Ups
For these sit-ups, you’ll be back on the floor and as you’re now including weights, you may want to use a padded exercise mat to lie on. Using a medicine ball, do your sit-up while holding the ball held against your chest. Once you’re in the sitting position, stretch to your right or left side as if you were going to pass the ball.
Obviously, if you stretched left on the first sit-up, then you need to stretch right on the next. Not only does exercise work on the upper abs but it also works effectively on the oblique muscles.
Hanging Style Crunches
As I mentioned earlier, you’ll have to work hard to see those lower abs and of course you don’t want to lose some of the definition of the oblique abs and upper abs in the process.
An abs frame or suspension armbands can nowadays be found at practically all gyms and the good thing is, they’re all you need for this exercise. Start off by hanging from the bar or armbands, engage abs and raise your knees up towards your chest. Hold them there for a few seconds and then slowly allow them down to the start position again.
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With this exercise there is a lot of demand placed lower abdominal muscles in order for your knees to be raised, while at the same time, the upper abs are also engaged. Furthermore, by adding in a twist on the way up and on the way down, your oblique muscles will also be getting a workout.
In all honesty, getting an eight-pack is considerably more taxing than getting a six-pack but so long as you make the most of your abs exercises, it’s well within your reach.