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Original poster

6 pack on a woman

30 replies

mamnotmum · 06/04/2023 16:31

I've joined the gym. I'm slim but want to be more toned and fitter.

I've started doing tums and bums classes and am getting a defined stomach. I'm not sure I want that look though - does a 6 pack on a woman looked weird?!

I love the bum toning but unsure on the tummy?!

OP posts:
Jasminajo · 06/04/2023 16:34

Op unless you’re planning on going 5/6 a week and really going for it with the weights, I wouldn’t concern yourself with this issue!

Original poster
mamnotmum · 06/04/2023 16:44

Jasminajo · 06/04/2023 16:34

Op unless you’re planning on going 5/6 a week and really going for it with the weights, I wouldn’t concern yourself with this issue!

I think you are meaning I won't see a change unless I go to the gym more?

But what I'm saying is I can see the change. I was interested in peoples thoughts on women with 6 packs.

OP posts:
DiDonk · 06/04/2023 16:50

I read a thing in the Times by a (male) fitness instructor saying even men, who have lower body fat than women shouldn't really be aiming for a visible 6 pack as it would mean they have too little body fat. So even if you manage it, it's not necessarily a healthy fitness goal.

Disco2023 · 06/04/2023 16:54

Full on 6 packs are really hard to actually get and then keep so I wouldn’t be too concerned. It takes really low body fat in most. You may be developing some more shape and definition to your muscles which I don’t see as a bad thing.

I don’t think negatively on men or women looking stronger. It’s good for us to work our muscles.

ArcticSkewer · 06/04/2023 16:56

I'd be surprised if you managed it without an associated eating disorder or drugs. Particularly from a 'bums and tums' class!

But it's nice to see tone appearing, I love seeing my body shape change with different types of exercise.

GoldenCagedBird · 06/04/2023 16:56

You are not going to get a six pack from a bums and tums class so really don’t worry…

WunWun · 06/04/2023 16:58

How long have you been going? I am a size ten and have been doing ab workout classes three times a week alongside 4 X spinning a week for a year. I've not got a six pack.

Tomkirkman · 06/04/2023 16:58

I don’t think they look weird or women shouldn’t have them.

But from a health and muscle building view, it’s a bit more nuanced. it’s often a sign you have very low body fat. Usually at a level that wouldn’t be safe long term.

Female bodybuilders have 6 packs. If you look at the different classifications, some have more pronounced 6 packs than others. Some in the ‘Bikini’ classification just have definition.

The weeks leading to competition is based on getting body fat as low as possible. It’s really draining on the body and impacts how much muscle you will build or even lose. It also impacts your hormones. Which is why female (and male) body builders don’t look like they do on stage on year round. Because long term, they wouldn’t build muscle, probably lose some and it impacts their health.

So in your case if you body fat is very low, it could stop you building muscle, including on your bum. So could be unhealthy and counterintuitive.

If you have a healthy amount of body fat and 6 pack, so it’s not impacting your health, I don’t see the issue.

I certainly don’t think it’s strange to see one on woman .

WheelsUp · 06/04/2023 16:59

When I think of well defined abs I think of Jessica Ennis Hill. If you use Google images then you'll know what I mean

FlowerArranger · 06/04/2023 17:04

Eat a healthy diet and continue what you are doing.

Mediterranean diet - lots of vegetables, moderate amounts of lean protein, and small amounts of healthy fats and complex/unrefined carbohydrates.

Cranarc · 06/04/2023 17:22

Are you actually seeing a six pack, though, or just the start of lines where a six pack would be? I have quite a lot of body fat (probably around 30%, so absolutely not lean in any way) but I am able to see what they call "eleven" lines down each side, marking where the obliques are.

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 06/04/2023 17:27

do you actually mean a 6 pack or are you meaning the vertical abdominal lines/indents?

you’ll need really low body fat. Everyone’s got abs, they’re just covered in fat. If you’re already very lean and/or eating in a calorie deficit you may see an outline of abs if you can get your body fat low enough .

If Bums and Tums class once a week was all it took then more ppl seeking visible abs would do it instead of spending years progressively overloading weights in the gym and I don’t mean 2 sets of 2kg dumbells.

Original poster
mamnotmum · 07/04/2023 18:34

Thanks everyone.

My question was 'do you think a 6 pack on a woman looks weird' ?

I'm happy to answer the other questions though - yes I have v low body fat (just over 10%). I currently eat very healthily but am not suffering from an eating disorder. I do other exercise - usually 4 times a week. I'm not saying I currently have a 6 pack or that I'm worried about it or am going to get it solely for 1 class a week.

Im just not sure I like the look of definition / 6 pack on a woman and was wondering what others thought?

OP posts:
Original poster
mamnotmum · 07/04/2023 18:39

Tomkirkman · 06/04/2023 16:58

I don’t think they look weird or women shouldn’t have them.

But from a health and muscle building view, it’s a bit more nuanced. it’s often a sign you have very low body fat. Usually at a level that wouldn’t be safe long term.

Female bodybuilders have 6 packs. If you look at the different classifications, some have more pronounced 6 packs than others. Some in the ‘Bikini’ classification just have definition.

The weeks leading to competition is based on getting body fat as low as possible. It’s really draining on the body and impacts how much muscle you will build or even lose. It also impacts your hormones. Which is why female (and male) body builders don’t look like they do on stage on year round. Because long term, they wouldn’t build muscle, probably lose some and it impacts their health.

So in your case if you body fat is very low, it could stop you building muscle, including on your bum. So could be unhealthy and counterintuitive.

If you have a healthy amount of body fat and 6 pack, so it’s not impacting your health, I don’t see the issue.

I certainly don’t think it’s strange to see one on woman .

Thanks for answering my question.

I know I like the look of them on men. I think maybe I just haven't really seen them on woman anywhere near as much and wondered other people's thoughts on how they looked.

OP posts:
tilestoclean · 07/04/2023 19:04

I'm nearly there! And I absolutely love how a six pack looks on women. It's my goal this year!

ArcticSkewer · 07/04/2023 19:55

Ok, so to tweak my answer slightly ... I don't usually see them and would just think 'eating disorder with associated overuse of sports' and/or 'drugs' - so neither of those are positives - but they look great on Olympian level athletes.

IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 08/04/2023 08:43

I think they look fine on women.

My concern if I was you would be increasing my body fat %. If 10% is accurate, it's on the verge of being so low it can damage your health eg stop periods, reduce bone density etc.

Also sounds like you are not a fan of visible abs and higher body fat % would help that

carriedout · 08/04/2023 09:27

They look fine on both male and female athletes.

FabFitFifties · 08/04/2023 12:35

I don't like the incredibly low fat look on a women - and that's needed for a six pack. It makes me think eating/exercise disorder. I do think a fit, toned, muscular, look suits many women though, without ultra low body fat. It's non of my business obviously, and would keep that opinion to myself in RL.

UnDruidlyWords · 08/04/2023 12:40

In my younger days I used to have visible abs and was very proud of my sleek, toned look. Go for it, OP.

waterlego · 08/04/2023 13:02

I don’t really have an opinion on how a 6 pack looks on a woman. Surely what matters is whether you like it not what others think?

As others have pointed out (and as you probably already know) 10% body fat is at the very lowest limit of what is considered ‘essential fat’ for a woman. Which obviously means that this is the minimum amount of fat your body needs to function well. So if your body fat falls below that 10%, you could be negatively impacting your health. It’s always useful to think about exercise and diet in terms of benefit to your health rather than how it is going to make you look.

WhisperGold · 10/04/2023 20:23

Just Google Eilish McColgan or Jessica Ennis. They don't look weird, just not very achievable for mere mortals.

MoominFeatures · 21/04/2023 20:54

Love the look, OP, but it’s a personal thing so really subjective. It’s not for everyone (but I’m cool with that).

10% BF on a female is a bit worrying though - and typically you’d already have very strong muscle definition at that BF% (assuming there is enough muscle mass there to define). E.g. my BF% is around 19-20% (any lower than that and my periods stop). My abs are very well-defined and though it’s “wonky” (i.e. not symmetrical) I have a very pronounced 6-pack. I do a crapload of strength-training (heavy, progressive overload) and very minimal cardio (which I only do at all because I love it and the whole social thing that comes out of a particular class I do!).

Be careful - sounds like you’re smashing it but make sure you’re safe and are looking after yourself and eating properly etc etc!

TheMarzipanDildo · 21/04/2023 21:08

You have 10% body fat? Shock

GraysPapaya · 21/04/2023 21:18

Why do you want to know what we all think about 6 packs?