Firstly, when you’re looking at achieving visible six pack abs, body fat percentage plays a crucial role. Abs, like other muscles, are present in everyone, but whether or not they are visible largely depends on the amount of fat that covers them. So, the leaner you are, the more likely your abs will show.
For men, the typical body fat range to start seeing visible abs is around 6% to 13%. It’s at the lower end of this range that the abs are most prominent. When a man is at 19% body fat, it’s quite likely that his abs won’t be distinctly visible due to a layer of fat covering them.
For women, the range is a bit higher because women naturally carry more essential fat. Visible abs usually start to show when a woman’s body fat percentage is between 16% to 24%. So, for a woman, 19% body fat is within the range where abs can start becoming visible, especially if she has developed her core muscles.
That said, the visibility of abs at a specific body fat percentage can vary based on genetics, muscle mass, and fat distribution. Some people might see abs at a slightly higher percentage, while others might need to go a bit lower.
If you’re a man targeting 19% body fat, it’s a healthy goal but may not be lean enough to have distinctly visible six pack abs. If you’re a woman, 19% is within the range where you can start seeing abs, especially with consistent core training. To enhance ab visibility, you might consider aiming for a slightly lower percentage while also incorporating targeted core exercises into your routine to develop the muscle underneath.