Achieving visible six pack abs is a common goal for many individuals, and incorporating a plank exercise into your routine can certainly be beneficial. The plank is an excellent core-strengthening exercise that targets the rectus abdominis, the muscle responsible for the appearance of the six-pack. However, performing a 2-minute plank every day alone is unlikely to yield the desired result of a visible six pack.
For abs to be visible, two main factors come into play: muscle development and body fat percentage. While the plank can help in developing the core muscles, it is not as effective in isolation for hypertrophy (muscle growth) as other exercises like crunches, leg raises, or weighted ab exercises. To truly build the ab muscles, you’d want to incorporate a variety of core exercises into your routine.
On the other side of the equation is body fat percentage. Even with well-developed abs, if there’s a layer of fat covering them, they won’t be visible. To reveal your six-pack, you’d typically need to lower your body fat percentage. Men usually start to see their abs when they get below 10-15% body fat, while women generally need to be below 15-20%. Achieving this requires a combination of consistent exercise and a well-balanced diet to create a calorie deficit.
While doing a 2-minute plank every day can strengthen your core and contribute to your fitness journey, it alone will not guarantee visible six pack abs. To achieve this goal, you’d need to pair your planking with other targeted ab exercises and focus on lowering your body fat percentage through a combination of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and a healthy diet.