How many sit-ups a day do I have to do to get a six pack?

Answer 1

This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions in Yahoo Answers Diet and Fitness.

Let me try to help you out here.

First, endless sit-ups will NOT get you a six pack. Muscles need to be challenged not just with volume, but also with resistance (weight.) Performing 300 plus situps just means your muscles have adapted to allow you to perform 300 situps -- you haven't necessarily increased their definition or mass (which is required for a six pack.)

Second, exercise alone won't get you a six pack.

Let me explain:

There are two things you need to do to get a six pack:

1.) Reduce abdominal fat (usually into the single digits) through diet and cardio
2.) Build ab muscle and definition through resistance training

Diet is usually the most challenging for people, because it requires good eating habits and a basic understanding of nutrition. So let's start there:

Your diet should consist of plenty of protein (egg whites, skim milk, lean chicken, beef and pork, and fish and seafood), complex carbs like oats, whole grains, brown rice, and beans/legumes and a smattering of good fats in the form of olive/sunflower/walnut oils, avocados, almonds, pecans, and an occasional egg yolk or two. You also can eat an almost unlimited amount of vegetables, provided they aren't bathed in fatty cheese and butter sauces.

You should aim to consume these foods in 6-7 smaller meals spread evenly across the day. This will keep your metabolism fired up and your hunger low.

Finally, take advantage of some of the very tasty, easy-to-mix whey protein powders out there to help keep your protein consumption high and fill the in-between-meals gaps during the day. I like Optimum Nutritions 100% Whey, but there are other very good ones as well.

Men's Health Magazine (don't worry, this diet applies to women as well) provides a nice way to remember these power AB foods: The letters in ABSDIETPOWER are the first letters in the foods you should be eating. The complete list is available here:

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=weight.loss&category=abs.diet&conitem=b72a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____&page=1

In terms of cardio, do what you enjoy, whether that's running, biking, swimming or rollerblading. Depending on the intensity, aim to do 30-60 minutes. If you are pressed for time or don't like long cardio sessions, find a park or school track in the neighboorhood and do wind sprints:

http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/fitness-survival-guides-81076-137.html

This kind of interval cardio training can dramatically boost your fat burning while improving your overall cardiovascular performance (including endurance.) The nice thing about wind sprints and interval cardio training is you can get the job done in about 20-25 minutes.

For more pointers (as well as specific exercises) on improving your abs, see one of my earlier Best Answers on this subject in the sources below.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

A six pack depends entirely on how much body fat you have. You probably allready have great abs, but they are covered up by fat. Even a little can hide your abs from the rest of the world. Eat less than 1700 Calories per day and run at least every other day. Continue doing sit ups and leg-lifts, but remember that it's not a lack of abs specific exercises that keep your abs hidden.

I'd recommend purchasing some skin fold calipers (on amazon and eBay for less than 10 bucks). These will tell you how much of your body is made of fat. To have visible abs, you need to have less than 15% body-fat. Since I don't know how much body fat you have, I can't tell you how long it will take to get there, but a 1-2% loss per week is reasonable. Don't measure yourself too often because it can be very dicouraging. You won't see a change in 2 days. Once every 2 weeks is good. NOT more than once a week.

Find a good weightlifting or calisthenics rutine. You need to build muscle to help burn off the fat. With more muscle, you will burn more energy (fat) at rest than you otherwise would.

Last but not least, get a buddy. Your willpower alone isn't enough to do everything. (Trust me I've tried.)

Good luck and remember that the best thing you have is confidence; a great bod is just an added bonus.

Answer 3

Depends on other factors like your diet and the current state of your ab muscles. I think sit ups would be a great start, but sit ups don't target all of the muscles needed for a six pack like the obliques. You'll probably have to add some stuff to target those.

Answer 4

In order to have a six pack a couple of things have to take place , a proper diet to reduce excess fat , cardio to burn fat and situps to work the abdominal muscles , I personally do 200 a day . 100 in the morning and 100 at night. This site helped me

www.sizzlingsexyabs.com

Answer 5

Lose Weight with Foods!

Answer 6

to get a six pack i would say do maybe 200-300 a day. also it wouldnt help to do a little cardio every once and a while. it will help you get one faster.

Answer 7

gradually increase as you go along. It is best to start a routine that your body will get used to.

Answer 8

thousands

Answer 9

depends how fat you are!!!!