The muscles that make up the “six-pack” are known as the rectus abdominis. When people refer to having a “six-pack,” they’re talking about being able to see the definition of these muscles on the surface of their abdomen. The visibility of the six-pack is largely due to having a low enough body fat percentage, so the muscles aren’t hidden beneath a layer of fat.
Now, to the question of whether six-pack abs are hard or soft. In a resting state, your abdominal muscles will naturally feel soft to the touch. When you contract or engage them, as in when you’re doing a crunch or any other core-focused movement, they will feel hard and tense. This is the same for most muscles in the body. When they’re relaxed, they feel soft, and when they’re contracted, they feel hard.
However, it’s important to note that just because someone has visible abs doesn’t necessarily mean their core is strong. While a lean appearance can be achieved through diet and some exercise, functional core strength requires specific training. Conversely, someone might have an incredibly strong core but might not have visible abs if they have a higher body fat percentage.
So, six-pack abs, like other muscles, feel soft when they are in a relaxed state and hard when they’re contracted. The visibility of the six-pack is more related to body fat percentage than muscle hardness.