Push-ups are a great compound exercise that primarily targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. While they do engage the core muscles to stabilize the body, they are not specifically designed to target and define the rectus abdominis, which is the muscle group you’re referring to when talking about “six pack abs.”
Visible six pack abs are achieved through a combination of two main factors:
- Reducing body fat percentage: Abs become visible when you have a low enough body fat percentage. This is because the rectus abdominis muscle is often covered by a layer of fat. The lower your body fat percentage, the more visible your abs become. So, if you want your abs to be visible, you’ll need to focus on burning more calories than you consume, thereby putting yourself in a caloric deficit. This can be done through a combination of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and a proper diet.
- Strengthening and building the core muscles: While push-ups do engage the core, they might not provide enough stimulus to significantly develop the abdominal muscles. For visible six pack abs, you’d benefit more from exercises that specifically target the core, like crunches, leg raises, and planks.
Now, back to your initial question. If you do 30 push-ups for 30 days, you will certainly improve your upper body strength and perhaps even see some muscle definition in your chest and arms. However, without accompanying dietary changes and a more comprehensive exercise routine that includes core-targeting workouts and cardiovascular exercise, it’s unlikely that just doing push-ups will result in visible six pack abs.
Remember, achieving defined abs is a holistic process that requires a combination of strength training, cardiovascular activity, and proper nutrition. While push-ups are a beneficial part of a fitness routine, they alone are not the golden ticket to six pack abs.