When asked about the muscle group or body part most people would like to be more chiseled… the answer probably won’t surprise you. If you guessed abs, you are correct. It’s not unusual to see many people at the gym knocking out some ab workouts every day. Having abs is a goal many of us hope to achieve. In fact, a recent survey found 31% of people would love to have chiseled abs.
The survey was conducted by Gymless.org. They polled 285,000 “fitness enthusiasts.” In the poll, they wants to know which muscular attributes were the most sought after. And it’s not surprising that abs take the top spot. The “coveted six-pack” is the most desired body feature.
Photo: Gymless
As you can see from the chart, wide shoulders came in behind abs, with an almost 10% gap. Other body featured include V-Shaped back, big arms, thick legs, and large pecs.
What Is It About Having Abs?
Apparently, it’s more than just the cosmetic appeal. But let’s be honest, we definitely wouldn’t mind that! But one of the study’s co-founders points out that having visible ab muscles is often seen as a symbol of “vitality.” This is especially so with a society where obesity is extremely prevalent. And some see abs as a sign of financial status and self-discipline. We can see how that makes sense, especially in the self-discipline category.
Benefits Of Ab Workouts
The head trainer at Gymless, Pat Chadwick, reminds us that having strong abdominals isn’t just for the aesthetic benefit. Your core is the foundation of so much of your strength and vitality.
Your abdominal muscles support your posture, your strength, and your balance and stability. According to Mirror.co, having a strong core can also help prevent injury, help with back pain, and help with athletic performance.
Working On Abs
If I had been in this study, abs would definitely be top priority for me too. Following abs, I’d say strong legs and then toned biceps. Those are my goals when it comes to working out.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been as consistent at the gym as I should be lately. And that’s a big part of seeing any results – consistency! But after reading about these muscle goals… and looking back at when my abs were a bit more prevalent, I’m definitely motivated to get back to it.
And I could use not having time to go to the gym as an excuse… but there are plenty of at home workouts you can do with or without weights. If you’ve ever heard me talk about health/exercise – any additional movement is better than nothing. Even if I don’t get to the gym, I still try to get movement in by walking on the treadmill or doing some yoga at home.
Now, as with any health change – diet, exercise, supplements, etc. – you should always check with your physician to ensure you’re on the right path for YOU! Every BODY is different, and we all have different needs.
Now, let’s take a look below at some at-home workouts I discovered online!
