Frequently asked Question- "Six pack edition"

This must be the  most frequently asked question in the fitness industry .....(mistakingly).. is "how can I get a six pack"?

Its the mile marker in everyones mind that says " I Have reached a status of elite fitness"....

( this is sad but true) ...really it means nothing, dont get me wrong, it is impressive, and shows a certain level of discipline...I think having a a set of killer abs along with great strength and overall conditioning is awesome and something I definitely strive for, however i would not recommend making that your primary goal, a couple years ago when I first started on my "quest to get in shape" I searched for the "holy grail of abs" and yes i reached it, I was 6 %body fat, had great abdominal definition. That was the only thing I had....no strength, no conditioning, I was always tired ( Because of the little I ate, and the abundance of cardio i did). The funny part, it didn't even look like i worked out...

looking back on that time period, I appeared to be the 3rd Olsen twin sister, but yes i was super lean...and nobody cared!.....Take a lesson from me pick a goal that makes you feel better, not one that you think other people will care about or notice....

Example goal- improve max pull-ups and you 1 mile time...

( guaranteed if you make a goal performance based it will reflect on you physique as well) 

most people have some form of abdominal muscles already that are just covered by layers of fat

The proper and safest way to obtain a lean physique and a six pack :

First thing is to have some base of core strength, by doing movements like leg-lifts, cable chops, weighted sit ups, and basic full body movements- squats, dead-lifts, pushups and pull-ups. These movements will strengthen your mid section and give you the ripples you desire, However! If you are not lean enough to see them..it wont matter, without a sound diet and cardio program to ensure a low body fat, all the crunches in the world wouldn't help you see that six pack. 

without having under ten percent body fat, no way will you see your abs, ( more like 7-8 percent to really see you abs)  So the most important tactic to get on the road to achieving a lean mid section for summer, is eating in a calorie deficit, and getting your overall body fat below 10 percent , once you have achieved this than and only than you will see those abs popping out. 

Six pack tips: 

Do full body movements- Dead lifts, pull-ups, squats, presses 

Eat lots of veggies, lean proteins, drink lots of water 

Do enough cardio movement to create a slight calorie deficit-  (this is needed to reach that under 10 

percent body-fat) 

Stop doing crunches! 

Remember the six pack is a nice side effect from a sound diet, and training program, not the ultimate goal! 

Stay motivated 

A-lev