“How long will it take me to get 6-pack abs?”
Is it too late to get 6-pack abs by summer? This is one of the most common questions I get this time of year. Here is a simple 3 step procedure to tell how long it will take to get lean enough for those 6-pack abs to pop out!
- To have abs, you need to get down to 7% bodyfat. Calculate how many pounds fat 7% would be. For example if you weigh 100 pounds, you can only have 7 pounds of fat (100lbs X .07) if you want 6-pack abs.
- Calculate the number of pounds bodyfat you currently have on your physique using my body composition calculator, and from step 1, calculate how many pounds fat you have to lose. For example if the calculator says you currently have 20 pounds of fat and from step 1 you know that you need to get down to 7 pounds of fat, you know you need to lose 13 pounds of fat.
- Now see how long it will take to lose the required amount of fat. Use my weight loss calculator and use the maximum weight loss rate by selecting “20% Caloric Reduction” as the goal in step 6. After entering all your other information, the calculator will tell you how long it will take to lose your fat.
Now that you know how long it will take to get those abs, read here how to get ripped 6-pack abs.
Some important notes:
- Calculating bodyfat: No you cant guess, you need to measure. Other than a $30,000 flotation tank, using skinfold calipers is the most accurate method. There are a zillion methods of bodyfat measurement and 99% of them are horribly inaccurate, especially the ones offered at gyms. Buy a $15 skinfold caliper!
- Such rules of thumb as “lose 2 pounds a week” are dangerously general. Such a rule is fine for someone weighing 300 pounds but for someone 100 pounds, it would lead to dangerous mal-nutrition. The maximum acceptable caloric reduction is 20% to keep you safe and insure you dont burn your muscle mass.
- The precise bodyfat level you need to obtain to see 6-pack abs will vary between 7% and 12% depending on the size of your abs and where your body stores its bodyfat. I’d rather tell people 7% and have them pleasantly surprised when the get their 6-pack earlier than expected rather than tell them 12% and have them depressed when they get down to 12% and still dont have abs. Alles Klar?