Let’s delve into the topic of the “ten-pack abs.”
Having a visible set of six-pack abs is a fitness goal many aspire to, and with dedicated training and diet, it’s an achievable milestone. But what about the elusive “ten-pack”? To start, when people mention “ten-pack abs”, they’re referring to the rectus abdominis muscle, which is the same muscle responsible for the six-pack. This muscle typically has eight distinct muscle bellies separated by tendinous intersections, creating the segmented look we associate with toned abs.
For most people, the top six of these segments become visible with reduced body fat and muscular development. The last two, located lower on the abdomen, are much harder to reveal. So, when someone talks about a “ten-pack”, they’re often including the two oblique muscles that flank the sides of the lower abdomen.
Now, is it rare? In a way, yes. Genetics plays a significant role in how these tendinous intersections are distributed. Some people may never develop a visible eight or ten-pack regardless of how hard they train or how lean they become because their genetics dictate a different arrangement or fewer intersections.
Furthermore, achieving the level of leanness required to display all eight segments of the rectus abdominis (and potentially the obliques for the ‘ten’ look) can be extreme and, for many, unsustainable in the long term. It often requires a combination of very low body fat percentages, which may not be healthy for everyone, especially women, and significant muscle hypertrophy of the abdominal muscles.
To sum up, while it’s common to see six-pack abs among those who train and diet rigorously, a visible “ten-pack” is relatively rare. Achieving it requires a mix of genetic predisposition, targeted training, and an extremely low body fat percentage. It’s essential to remember that everyone’s body is unique, and the number of visible abs one can achieve doesn’t determine one’s fitness level or worth.