Can push ups and sit ups develop abdominal muscles

Push ups and sit ups can help strengthen abdominal muscles, but relying solely on these two exercises is difficult to develop significant abdominal muscles. The manifestation of abdominal muscles mainly depends on factors such as body fat percentage, training intensity, and dietary control. Push ups mainly exercise chest, shoulder, and arm strength, with limited stimulation to abdominal muscles, but can indirectly activate abdominal muscles through core stability. Sit ups directly target the rectus abdominis muscle, which can enhance muscle endurance, but improper movements can easily damage the lumbar spine. If the body fat percentage is high, the abdominal muscles will be covered by fat, making it difficult to show even if the muscles are well-developed. It is recommended to combine aerobic exercise to reduce body fat, while incorporating diversified abdominal training such as plank support and abdominal rolling, and combining it with a high protein, low-carbon diet.

Due to genetic factors or extremely low body fat percentage, a minority of people may show abdominal muscle lines through push ups and sit ups, but this situation is more specific. Most people need systematic training and long-term persistence to achieve ideal results. To develop clear abdominal muscles, it is necessary to develop a scientific training plan, including strength training, aerobic exercise, and dietary management. Avoid repeating a single action and pay attention to the standardization of actions to prevent injury. It is recommended to schedule 3-5 whole-body exercises per week, with a focus on strengthening the core muscle group and maintaining a daily calorie deficit. When the body fat percentage drops below 15% for males and 20% for females, the contour of the abdominal muscles will gradually become more prominent.