8 pack

[ellinghad]

Tell it to me straight... is this possible, or is it all genetics? I have like 10% body fat, my abs always show, and I've been doing ab exercises for a few years now, and I still have a 6 pack. I have searched all over the internet and everyone contradicts one another. I just want to know if it's possible, or if I'm wasting my time! Thanks!

Well.. here's an older pic of me if that helps on the genetics argument or anything... http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y244/ellinghad/me/zz6.jpg

Thanks again guys!

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

looking pretty lean and stacked man.

its all in your diet and excercise. be prepared to loose a bit of that muscle if you really want that last bit of fat gone. It looks like you have your lifting down, so hit up and read the diet forum for some tips about counting your calories, fat, carbs, protien, etc.

 

[Tagio]

the abs are divided into sections in a genetically predetermined way. you can show what's there more clearly but you won't subdivide your muscles differently no matter what you do.

 

[ellinghad]

So it is genetics? =((

There is nothing I can do!?

 

[Tagio]

"The rectus abdominis muscles are long and flat. They originate at the pubic bone, run up the abdomen on either side of the linea alba, and insert into the cartilages of the fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs. The muscle is crossed by three tendinous intersections called the linae transversae. The rectus abdominus is enclosed in a thick sheath formed, as described above, by fibers from each of the three muscles of the lateral abdominal wall." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdomen#Muscles_of_the_abdominal_wall

depending where these tendon strips cross the abs, you will get an obvious 8 pack or a 6-pack. Some people's are horizontal, some people's go at crazy random angles. it looks like the highes of these tendon crossings is right below your sternum, not leaving room for a '2-pack' above it. luckily no one gives a shit, if you look in a BB magazine abs vary from the symettrical armor look to all sorts of strange asymmetrical shapes. but aside from having tendons grafted across the rectus muscle, you are stuck with the shape you have now.

 

[Tagio]

obviously the top half of your physique is nicely developed (great work!) but in my opinion you should do some work on your traps. count them as an extra 2 on the 6-pack and call it a day.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

so does ellinghad not have a tendon below his bellybuttton to make the last two? I knew genetics was involved in abs, but I didnt realize it was that varying! It makes me wonder if I can only ever get a 6 pack as well. Hmm, my veiw of the body just changed.

 

[ellinghad]

So it's purely genetics? =((

 

[Scotsman]

So it's purely genetics? =((

Yes 6 vs 8 is purely genetics as how your abs are shaped. The only way to find out is to get lean enough to see them clearly. Unfortuneately your pic cuts off right where the last seperation would be so it's hard to tell. I have met very few people with the 8pack in my life.

Cheers,
Scotsman