The title of this article is a little ironic, isn't it? Since when did skinny guys
have a hard time getting a six-pack? Are not all skinny guys like 2.1% body fat
and less than 150 pounds soaking wet? Why in the world would a skinny guy need an
article on how to get a six-pack? Isn't that why skinny guys are afraid to bulk
up - because they are paranoid about losing their treasured abdominals? I
asked the same thing until this question almost earned it's own email account!
The volume of interest I receive from skinny guys who wish to build their mid-sections
is more than enough evidence to disprove the false reality of, "I should be
able to 'see' my abs if I have low body fat." I'm sure you know of a friend
who is completely scrawny, yet, without a shirt, on he has zero abdominal definition!
To me, that would be salt on an open wound.
Abdominals Are A Muscle, Too!
You want your arms to be bigger, your shoulders to be broader and your chest to
be fuller, correct? And what is the solution to making these muscle groups increase
in size? High intensity weight training, overload, consistency and a healthy surplus
of calories. Starting to sound familiar?
The same goes for your abdominals. Your abdominals are a muscle group that requires
the same formula and attention and are not any different. For some reason many consider
abdominals to be a 'special' body part that requires a different set of rules and
a completely different formula for training. Abdominals were not given a 'secret
code' to crack. To get thick, dense abs - those ones that 'pop' out - you
must train them with intensity and overload. Here are some practical tips you can
apply to your program so that you can be the 'man' or 'gal' at your gym with a ripped
and muscular six-pack!
Prioritize By Sequence
If your abs are your worse body part, then why do you keep training them last, at
the end of your workout? Which muscles groups will receive the highest priority
when you train? The ones done at the start of your workout or the ones done at the
end of the workout? Of course, the ones done at the start of the workout while you
have the most energy and focus. If abdominals are the muscle group you wish to prioritize,
then don't be afraid to disagree with the 'experts' who say "Never train your
abdominals first because you'll weaken your core muscles for the rest of your workout...".
I completely disagree with this and often reply, "Show me the evidence."
The typical response is "Nobody does abdominals first...". That is pure
BS. This just supports the notion that many people who work out don't ever question
what they hear or do. They want to be spoon fed answers and follow the trends of
others without thinking for themselves. I ALWAYS train abdominals first in a workout
if they need the highest attention.
Prioritize By Frequency
What's going to receive better results? A muscle group that is trained one time
a week or two times a week (assuming you are recovered prior to the second workout
commencing)? Of course, the muscle that is trained 2x a week. The more stimulus
on a muscle, the more growth. That is why professional athletes are professional
athletes. They have conditioned their bodies to such a high amount of stress that
they are able to train more frequently.