Achieving a set of six-pack abs is a combination of building muscle and reducing body fat. When you say you can “feel” your abs but not “see” them, it indicates that you’ve developed your abdominal muscles to some extent, but they’re hidden beneath a layer of subcutaneous fat. The rectus abdominis, the muscle responsible for the six-pack appearance, exists in everyone. However, its visibility depends on two primary factors:
- Muscle Development: Engaging in core-focused exercises like crunches, leg raises, and planks can help increase the size and definition of the rectus abdominis. When these muscles are well-developed, they push against the skin, making them more pronounced. This is what gives them the raised appearance that many people aim for.
- Body Fat Percentage: No matter how developed your abs are, they won’t be visible if they’re covered by a layer of fat. This layer sits between your muscles and the skin. Everyone has a different genetic predisposition for where they store fat, and for many, the belly is a common spot. To reveal your six-pack, you’ll need to reduce your overall body fat percentage. This typically means incorporating both cardiovascular exercises and a controlled diet to achieve a calorie deficit.
Now, just feeling the muscles underneath doesn’t necessarily mean they’re large or well-defined yet. It just means you’ve built some muscle tissue. To make them visible, continue strengthening them while also focusing on fat loss. Remember, targeted fat loss or “spot reduction” isn’t effective. So, while abdominal exercises will strengthen the core, fat loss should be approached as a whole-body effort.
Feeling your abs but not seeing them is a sign that you have some muscle development, but it’s obscured by body fat. Continue with a comprehensive fitness plan that emphasizes both muscle building and fat reduction, and with time and consistency, you’ll see the results you’re aiming for.