What Bodyfat % can you start to see 6-pack?

Jivebotic

New member
Hey, just curious, at around what percent of bodyfat will you start to be able to see a 6-pack. Or is a low bodyfat% not necessarily the major thing to have to have in order to see abs?

Thanks
 
thats really impossible to answer , everyone is different . i powerlift and heavy squats and pulls have made my ab muscles larger than someone who relies on crunches/situps/etc. to tone the abs . [ i assume thats the reason my abs are so large ] so even at a fairly high bodyfat by abs still show , where someone with smaller but well toned abs might have to get their bodyfat down much lower to acheive the same thing .
 
As the "old" DAWG said, we are all different, our bodies store adipose tissue as it sees fit genetically...
 
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On average I'd say 10-12% but like said, it varies. Most men by nature store a lot in the midsection, some guys have backfat as well, some guys have arm fat and some dont. Some guys have huge guts and skinny legs, some guys are fat all over, it varies.
 
I believe it also depends on if you're genetically predisposed to store fat underneath or on top of your abs.
 
for me 10% or lower but I still have that last little bit around the belly button area. Like beans said some people store more subcutaneous fat than others.
 
string_bean00 said:
I believe it also depends on if you're genetically predisposed to store fat underneath or on top of your abs.

EASY go on the Consentration Camp diet and get as skinny as Beans and youll be ripped too. HAHAHAHA
 
DADAWG said:
thats really impossible to answer , everyone is different . i powerlift and heavy squats and pulls have made my ab muscles larger than someone who relies on crunches/situps/etc. to tone the abs . [ i assume thats the reason my abs are so large ] so even at a fairly high bodyfat by abs still show , where someone with smaller but well toned abs might have to get their bodyfat down much lower to acheive the same thing .

dawg, how do you differentiate between distended abs and "large" abs ?

I've noticed the same since I started (~ 2 yrs back) doing the heavy PL moves. Its a side (effect) of PL that I don't really like. I've started doing crunches and leg raises hoping to keep the problem in check (and for core strength of course).
 
For guys with AVERAGE (if there is such a thing) its about 10%. As previosly stated bodyfat distribution patterns influence it a LOT.

Iron Addict
 
Toranaga said:
dawg, how do you differentiate between distended abs and "large" abs ?

I've noticed the same since I started (~ 2 yrs back) doing the heavy PL moves. Its a side (effect) of PL that I don't really like. I've started doing crunches and leg raises hoping to keep the problem in check (and for core strength of course).
if your abs are defined even thought you know your BF is high i would assume they are large , just like someone whos overweight/high bodyfat but whos biceps/triceps/etc. are so huge they are still clearly visible .
this should look different than the distended/growth gut look .
 
Popichulo said:
EASY go on the Consentration Camp diet and get as skinny as Beans and youll be ripped too. HAHAHAHA

Hey bud, I think I weigh a bit more than you now. ;) Not that lean, though.
 
i am sitting at 10-12 percent right now. I have 4 but not my final two , They still have alot of work they need done to them, So i don't think its so much as being too high of body fat. Each person is different.
 
I was always told that at about 14% you should start to see the outline of your top 2 abs, and at 12% you should see quite good ab defination, at 10% you have a 6 pack and at 8% you have washboards. Mine is at about 11% and mine are definately starting to kick in. There is no point in doing crunches untill you have a low bodyfat, its just a waste of time, the only way to see your abs is to keep your diet and cardio in check I think. Just my .02
 
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