Getting ripped, especially achieving visible six-pack abs, isn’t solely about the number of push-ups you do each day. While push-ups are a great compound exercise that works multiple muscle groups, they primarily target the pectorals (chest) and triceps. Abs visibility is mostly about reducing body fat and building abdominal muscle.
First, it’s important to understand that spot reduction, or the idea that you can lose fat from a specific area of your body by doing exercises that target that area, is a myth. Therefore, simply doing push-ups will not directly shed fat from your abdominal area.
To get ripped abs, you need a combination of cardiovascular exercise to reduce overall body fat, strength training exercises to build muscle (including abdominal exercises for the abs), and most importantly, a balanced diet.
Now, regarding push-ups: If your goal is to build upper body strength and tone your chest and arms, incorporating push-ups into your routine is beneficial. For someone just starting, aiming for 10-15 push-ups, and gradually increasing as you gain strength is a good approach. If you’re already in decent shape, you might aim for 50 or more push-ups a day, divided into sets. However, remember that recovery is crucial. It’s essential to give your muscles time to repair and grow, so it’s not advisable to do push-ups or any other strength training exercise targeting the same muscle groups every single day.
While push-ups can be a valuable addition to a workout routine aimed at getting ripped, they alone will not guarantee a chiseled midsection. Achieving visible six-pack abs requires a holistic approach, including cardiovascular workouts, varied strength training, proper nutrition, and ensuring a caloric deficit if weight loss is needed. Focus on your overall fitness and nutrition, incorporate push-ups for upper body toning, and ensure you include exercises specifically targeting the abs to get the desired results.