When it comes to burning fat and getting ripped abs, there are literally tons of programs out there that promise you that it’s easier than ever to achieve. The systems that these programs use can vary a lot. Some focus more on dieting while others focus more on exercise. However the best ones invariably cover both exercise and nutrition and explain them both in depth so that the user is never confused and always know what to do next.

One of the more popular programs out there is known as Six Pack Shortcuts and its creator Mike Chang promises that his program cuts through the misinformation and provides people with a comprehensive system to burn fat, build muscle and overall get in the best shape of their lives. But the big question is, does Mike deliver on that promise or did he just put together another fitness program that doesn’t deliver?

How the program works

In order to maximize the fat burning potential of your body, the program bases itself on a principle known as the afterburn effect. The goal here is to force the body to not only burn fat during the workouts, but also in between workouts. That way, the reduction of body fat can happen at all times and isn’t limited by the amount of time that one has to spend in the gym. The way to do this is to optimize hormones, build muscle and follow some very specific dietary guidelines.

But applying this principle requires a bit of know how. Now, based on what Mike Chang looks like, it’s reasonable to assume that he knows what he is talking about. The program that he has created is split up into four phases that each build upon one another to maximize not only the fat loss, but to also increase the production of muscle mass.

Phase 1

The first phase of Six Pack Shortcuts doesn’t throw you in the deep end of the pool right off the bat. Instead, it is designed to ease you into the process and get you primed for the more difficult phases that follow. During this first phase, one can expect to see an increase of muscle mass, to learn the proper nutritional guidelines and adopt some good habits that will serve for not only completing the program, but also maintaining the results achieved.

The overall goal is to increase the metabolic rate which makes it much easier to process foods and burn more calories. It is to be noted that this phase does not focus on fat loss but rather prepares the body for it.

Phase 2

The second phase is when the fat loss efforts begin. The reason why the program is built to first increase muscle mass before burning fat is because the reverse doesn’t work. When there is more muscle mass, the body naturally burns more calories at rest. That makes it much easier and quicker to burn fat later.

If one tries to burn fat first, the general result is a decrease in muscle mass which only serves to shut off the fat burning hormones and makes it almost impossible to bur any fat at all. This is the reason why most people fail at their weight loss efforts.

As such, all the workouts in Six Pack Shortcuts and dietary guidelines in phase 2 serve the purpose of burning fat by leveraging the new found increase in metabolic rate.

Phase 3

Phase three is where the abdominal work begins. In terms of the workouts, this is quite possibly the hardest phase of the program but because of this increase in difficulty, great progress can be expected during this period. If the workouts are performed correctly and the nutritional guidelines are followed, an increase in the definition of the abdominal muscles is inevitable.

Phase 4

If phase 3 is designed to sculpt the abs, phase 4 is designed to expose them as much as possible. This is where the user is shown how to get rid of that final layer of fat that hides the abs. The results one can expect there is that the definition of not only the abdominal muscles but of the whole body is dramatically increased.

What is included in Six Pack Shortcuts?

Everybody wants a good looking six pack. EVERYBODY.

Unlike most fitness products available on the internet today, Six Pack Shortcuts isn’t exclusively a digital download product. Instead, when somebody orders it, they receive not only lifetime access to the member’s area (where all the videos and documents are available for download) but they also get a package in the mail that includes a complete DVD set (four DVDs to be exact) as well as the many supporting guides. Here is a breakdown of what is included in the purchase:

The 21 workouts

There are 21 workouts in all and they are all detailed in depth. What exercises to perform on what days, what order to do the exercises in, how long to rest between exercises, how many days to wait in between workouts, etc. It’s all laid out in a clear and easy to understand manner that eliminates any confusion.

Video demonstrations of each and every exercise

The main purpose of the Six Pack Shortcut videos is obviously to teach the proper way to perform each exercise. To that end, every single exercise is demonstrated on video which is great for those who aren’t familiar with the lingo used in the fitness industry. It is also great to make sure that the exercises are being performed correctly and the maximum results are achieved with each one.

What’s more is that the complete workouts are performed on video which takes much of the planning out. All that needs to be done is to follow along and do the exercises as shown in the videos and at the same pace as they are shown. No need to time the rest or plan out the circuit of exercises to be performed.

Printable logs for the workouts

Tracking progress is quite possibly the most important aspect of getting in shape. It allows you to know what has worked and what hasn’t which provides the ability to avoid mistakes and focus on what brings results. For that reason, Mike has included printable workout log sheets (that are available in the member’s area online).

Fitness advice from Mike Chang

Also included on the Six Pack Shortcuts DVDs (and therefore in the members area) are videos of Mike talking about some tricks and tips that he has learned over the years. These extend beyond simply exercises and nutrition advice and explore often ignored aspects such as the mentality that one needs to adopt to reach their fitness goals. These help people stay consistent with their efforts by providing much needed motivation.

So that does it for the first part of this review. Stay tuned for the next part where we’ll look into the additional bonuses and where we’ll give out our final recommendation.

Now if your recall, the first part of this review went over the different parts that make up the main program as well as an overview of the four phases that the program goes through. Keep reading to learn more.

A word about the creator, Mike Chang

Let’s first take a look at who exactly is the creator of this program. His name is Mike Chang and he is a personal trainer and fitness model who, through years of research and testing, has learned how to tap into what he calls the afterburn effect. This is the principle he teaches his clients as well as teaches in Six Pack Shortcuts.

Since launching his flagship program, he has gathered quite an impressive following on his youtube channel as well as facebook. He has amassed approximately 500 000 youtube subscribers thanks to his many free videos and also provides many tips and tricks on his blog. Through these channels (as well as others) he has sold in excess of ten thousand copies of his program to people all over the world who are looking to get in great shape.

Bonuses

On top of the main program, Mike Chang offers multiple bonuses that build upon what is taught in his program. They aren’t required in the least to get the main product to work but they do complement it very well. Here is a rundown of these bonus offers:

First Bonus: The Zero-Willpower nutrition system

Mike Chang transformed himself with the principles discussed in Six Pack Shortcuts

This first bonus offered with Six Pack Shortcuts goes into more depth on the topic of nutrition. This is where many people stumble and lose traction because they often aren’t prepared well enough or give in to cravings. The fact is that it takes rules and preparation to make sure that the right foods are available at the right time. This eating system therefore provides the five simple rules that Mike follows to simplify things and eliminate any and all confusion regarding the matter.

Also, there are many easy to follow recipes that use only simple ingredients and that are really easy to make. Once again, people often find it challenging to find enough time to make themselves three meals a day. These recipes were designed for the purpose of cutting down drastically on food preparation and making healthy eating the easiest option. In fact, Mike shares how he manages to prepare all of his meals in just 90 minutes a week. Another advantage of this bonus is that it teaches people how to cut down drastically on the average cost of their meals.

There is additionally a guide to give flavor to healthy foods that many people find boring. There are detailed spice mixtures, sauces, marinades and salad dressings that taste great but more importantly, don’t add calories to the overall meal.

Second Bonus: Advanced Coaching

This particular Six Pack Shortcut bonus is actually a free 14 day trial of his Advanced Fitness Coaching program. To keep receiving the extra content included here, the ongoing cost is 97$ per month. On the other hand, the recurring billing can be cancelled at any time during the 14 day trial period.

In order to keep the progress of his members going, this added bonus provides new coaching videos every week that explore more advanced concepts that aren’t suitable for people who are just starting out. This includes additional workouts (either for muscle building, overall athletic ability or fat loss) as well as advanced nutrition strategies.

Also included in this coaching bonus is access to Mike’s email so that members can ask him as many questions as they want. Of course, because there are many members, questions may take a few days to get answered.

These emails can serve multiple purposes for customers. For example, Mike can provide alternative schedules for those who live busy lifestyles and are having a hard time following the default schedule.

Another example is advice for those who are facing a workout injury. Healing in an effective manner requires one to follow specific protocols and are important not just to get back to normal but also to prevent any later injuries.

Finally, this type of ongoing coaching is great to keep people motivated in the short and long term. The fact of the matter is that without a personal coach that holds his clients accountable, getting into shape is a whole lot harder for many.

Price and guarantee

The price for the Six Pack Shortcuts program is a onetime payment of 97$ and if you choose to keep the Advanced Fitness Coaching, it’s an ongoing fee of 97$ per month. If you decide to buy and want access to all the bonuses discussed here, it is mandatory that you purchase it through the official website. Also, if you decide to buy and find out that this program isn’t a good fit for you, there is a complete 60 day money back guarantee.

Is Six Pack Shortcuts worth buying?

Over all, Mike Chang has put together a solid package for the price. However, it is worth mentioning that it does require a good bit of effort because the workouts aren’t easy (especially the later ones) and getting used to the nutritional guidelines doesn’t happen overnight.

Also, since the Advanced coaching bonus is automatic, if you decide that you don’t want it you have to unsubscribe from it manually. It’s an easy process but it’s kind of annoying that they force it upon you when you’ve just given them almost 100$ for the main program. Also, 14 days isn’t long enough for most people to find out if they will find value from it. Because it explores more advanced strategies, beginners won’t have time to go through the main program before deciding to keep it or not.

But for anyone who thinks that they’re ready to put in the effort required to get in shape and burn fat, Six Pack Shortcuts can provide you with the quickest way to do that, bar none. It doesn’t require you to learn the nitty gritty scientific details (though it does teach many valuable things) and gives you a no nonsense plan that covers everything that needs to be done, both in terms of exercise and nutrition.