Not a day goes by where the typical American is not bombarded by media photos encouraging the “perfect body” complete with chiseled six pack abs. But is it really ALL it’s cracked up to be? And most of all, are there actually health health risks associated with this extreme and elite level of fitness? The answer is YES, and you’ll love this post from Coconuts and Kettlebells to explain just WHY that is!
“1. They serve no functional purpose.
Having a visible six-pack serves no functional purpose for the human body. This is because defined abdominal muscles are usually the result of extraordinary leanness, not increased functionality and strength. While having a strong, stable core is most definitely necessary to support the body – it doesn’t have to be visible to function properly.
For me, trying to achieve a six-pack was detrimental to my overall strength because of the tremendous effort it took reduce my body fat percentage. Genetically, I am not a “lean” individual (my booty has been “where it’s at” since puberty), and becoming that way required eating too little, and working out too much. As a result, I suffered from chronic injuries because I trained intensely without proper recovery or rest.”
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com/fxquadro