It’s a question that many of us have asked.

When it comes to looking like the top bodybuilders in the world, it’s sad to say that the shredded look we all seek isn’t necessarily an attainable goal. You can work your ass off, lift heavy, and do everything the right way, yet looking cut out of granite like Phil Heath or having symmetry like Shawn Rhoden is simply out of reach. You may be built up in every single area except you: your uneven abs.

For many bodybuilders and other athletes it’s been a source of some aggravation and stress. The knowledge that despite the countless hours of hard work, despite tweaking your nutrition to lower your body fat, despite all that sacrifice your abs just won’t align the way you want them to. Getting chiseled abs may be the first step, but getting them to be even and symmetrical is the ultimate goal. So is there a way to fix uneven abs?

The simple answer is no. The structure and definition of your abs has to do more with your genetics than with how you’re training. Just like any other muscle, abs can definitely grow to an extent, but they can’t be shaped. You can thank your mom and dad for that. But that’s no reason to stop working your abs. Ab workouts have to do a lot more about strengthening the muscles rather than chiseling them into shape. A good lean diet are what bring out your abs in the first place, so any hopes of fixing your ab issues lie in only one solution: plastic surgery.

There’s no avoiding the fact that bodybuilding is a sport that requires some of the best genetics to reach the pinnacle of success. But don’t allow that to discourage you. Everyone is born different and your abs are unique to you. Keep training hard and push things like plastic surgery from your mind. Own your abs and be proud of them.

Having ab issues? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.