Walking is a great form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise and can be a helpful component of a broader fitness and health routine. However, achieving visible six-pack abs primarily depends on two main factors: reducing body fat percentage and strengthening the rectus abdominis muscle, which is the muscle responsible for the six-pack appearance.
Taking 5,000 steps daily can contribute to burning calories, which in turn can help with fat loss. However, the number of calories burned from these steps might not be sufficient to create the significant calorie deficit needed to reduce body fat to the level where six-pack abs become visible. For many, visible abs start to appear when body fat percentage drops to around 10-14% for men and 16-20% for women. The exact percentages can vary depending on individual genetics and body composition.
In addition to walking, dietary choices play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining a lower body fat percentage. Nutrition is often said to be responsible for up to 70-80% of the results when it comes to revealing a toned midsection. This means paying attention to your caloric intake, choosing whole and nutritious foods, and monitoring portion sizes can be more impactful than walking alone.
Moreover, just walking won’t target or strengthen the rectus abdominis muscle effectively. To achieve that toned and defined look, you’ll also need to incorporate targeted abdominal exercises like crunches, leg raises, and planks into your routine