Achieving visible six pack abs is primarily a function of two factors: muscle development and low body fat percentage. The rectus abdominis muscle, when well-defined and not hidden by a layer of fat, gives the appearance of a six pack.
Push-ups are a great compound exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps primarily, while also engaging the core for stabilization. When you perform a push-up, you do recruit the muscles of your abdomen to keep your body straight and supported. Thus, over time, doing push-ups can contribute to strengthening your core muscles. However, push-ups in isolation, even 100 in 8 minutes, might not be enough to achieve the desired six pack appearance.
Why? Firstly, while push-ups engage the core, they are not the most targeted exercise for the rectus abdominis or obliques. There are other exercises like leg raises, planks, and crunches that focus more directly on these muscles.
Secondly, and more crucially, is the matter of body fat. Even if you have strong abdominal muscles, a layer of fat over them will obscure their visibility. To see a six pack, most men need to get their body fat percentage down to around 10-12%, while women usually need to be around 16-19%. Achieving this requires a combination of resistance training, cardiovascular exercise, and, most importantly, a controlled diet.
Push-ups can be a part of a broader fitness regimen that works towards revealing your abs, but doing 100 push-ups in 8 minutes alone, without addressing diet and other aspects of training, might not get you the visible six pack you’re aiming for. Remember, it’s a combination of muscle development and fat loss, with the latter often being the more challenging aspect for many. It’s always best to integrate a variety of exercises and pay close attention to your nutrition to achieve and maintain that coveted six pack.