Flat stomach VS abs VS side cuts

[The_stray_cat]

Hey guys! So i hear each person talking about wanting one of the three mentioned above. I was wondering if there is a difference between them because i feel like it is.
I feel like flat stomach is just flat whereas six packs and side definitions are more dimensional.

[Boss Man]

A flat stomach isn't necessarily strong, but a strong stomach is not necessarily a 6-pac stomach as in your case, females need around 12-13% fat to show and then you're on a healthy limit, because less than that can cause one or two potential issues for females, I:E 8% for men, versus 8% fat for women.

However a strong stomach and 18% fat is a good lean appearance and the ability to affect the lateral and medial obliques, the muscles on the side of the abs area around the ribcage part of the torso, can be achieved with things like side bends, torso twists, around the worlds, side planks, dragon flags, wood choppers and diagonal leg raises and possibly one or more others that escape mind, but it also comes down to genetics, so some people might get a slightly higher chance of getting or being able to get one or more of those bits of definition you are talking about.

[The_stray_cat]

Right, cause I see cheerleaders with long side definition and the center line whereas athletes have more of a boxy six pack.

[Boss Man]

That more solid core appearance will be down to exercises that target the lateral and medial obliques, such as the ones mentioned, whereas some people could just train the abs and the lower back muscles like the quadratus lumborum, and the base of the erectors and multifidus, so they could end up with a strong lower back, but might end up with oblique ridges, or maybe even a slight inward curvature of the oblique areas.