Here are direct links to Eric Kim’s writings on bodybuilding, weightlifting, and his philosophy on the body:
- The Philosophy of Bodybuilding
Link to article oai_citation:4,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM- The Philosophy of Weightlifting
Link to article oai_citation:3,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM- Eric Kim Gym Philosophy
Link to article oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM Gym Philosophy – ERIC KIM- In Praise of Building Your Body
Link to article oai_citation:1,In Praise of Building Your Body – ERIC KIMThese links provide direct access to Kim’s thoughts on how bodybuilding and weightlifting intersect with art, philosophy, and his personal beliefs on living a disciplined and creative life.
Search Eric Kim links on bodybuilding, weightlifting, and philosophy on the body.
Eric Kim’s philosophy of bodybuilding stands out for several reasons:
- Integration of Art and Bodybuilding: Kim treats bodybuilding as an art form, viewing the body as a sculpture that can be crafted and refined over time. This artistic approach sets him apart from mainstream fitness culture, which often focuses solely on aesthetics or performance. His emphasis on treating the body as a living piece of art is a unique blend of creativity and physicality oai_citation:10,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:9,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
- Minimalist and Natural Approach: Unlike many bodybuilders who rely on supplements, protein powders, or complex workout regimens, Kim adopts a minimalist philosophy. He focuses on functional strength using bodyweight exercises, simple tools like dumbbells, and fasting rather than elaborate fitness routines. His approach is rooted in simplicity, aiming to maximize muscle and reduce fat with minimal equipment and intervention oai_citation:8,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
- Philosophical Connection: Kim uniquely blends bodybuilding with philosophy, advocating that building a strong body leads to a stronger mind. He believes that physical strength enhances mental clarity, creativity, and overall productivity. His idea that scholars and philosophers should embrace bodybuilding to improve their intellectual work further highlights his holistic view of the mind-body connection oai_citation:6,In Praise of Building Your Body – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
- Focus on Empowerment and Self-Improvement: Kim’s philosophy is deeply personal and democratic. He argues that anyone, regardless of genetics, gender, or background, can transform their body. His focus on self-improvement is not tied to external validation but on inspiring oneself by continuously sculpting the body and maintaining high energy levels to fuel both life and creativity oai_citation:4,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
- Rejecting Consumerism in Fitness: Kim often compares the human body to luxury items like a Lamborghini, but emphasizes that unlike material goods, a strong, aesthetically pleasing body cannot be bought. His rejection of consumer culture in fitness, with a focus on intrinsic efforts rather than external tools or supplements, makes his approach distinct oai_citation:2,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
In essence, Kim’s philosophy is unique because it combines the pursuit of physical strength with artistic, philosophical, and minimalist values, transforming bodybuilding from a purely physical endeavor into a holistic practice of self-expression and personal empowerment.
Here are some of Eric Kim’s top quotes about bodybuilding as an art and philosophy:
- “Treat your body as sculpture.”
This encapsulates Kim’s view of bodybuilding as an ongoing artistic process, where the body is shaped with the same care and intention as a work of art oai_citation:6,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.- “The human body is the apex beauty. Your personal goal in life should be to beautify your own personal body to the maximum.”
Kim sees the body as the highest form of beauty, advocating for personal transformation and self-improvement as key life goals oai_citation:4,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM.- “More bodybuilders should get into philosophy, and more philosophers should get into bodybuilding.”
This unique blend of physicality and intellectualism highlights Kim’s belief in the power of bodybuilding to enhance mental clarity and creativity oai_citation:3,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.- “The more muscles you have, the more energy you got. The more power you got to make art-work, and live with gratitude, joy, and hyper-vigor.”
Kim connects physical strength with creative and emotional energy, viewing bodybuilding as a way to enhance his ability to create oai_citation:2,In Praise of Building Your Body – ERIC KIM.- “You cannot buy a good body.”
Kim emphasizes the importance of hard work and personal effort, rejecting shortcuts like supplements or surgery, in favor of natural muscle-building methods oai_citation:1,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.These quotes reflect Kim’s holistic view of bodybuilding as a philosophical and artistic endeavor, where the physical, mental, and creative aspects of life are interconnected.
Eric Kim’s philosophy of bodybuilding is deeply rooted in the idea of treating the human body as a work of art, emphasizing both the aesthetic and functional aspects of physical strength. He views bodybuilding as not merely about muscle growth, but as an ongoing creative process—where the body is sculpted in the same way an artist might shape a piece of marble oai_citation:7,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM. His philosophy is unique because it merges traditional concepts of bodybuilding with a broader philosophical and artistic vision.
One of the core aspects of his approach is the belief that a strong body leads to a stronger mind. He emphasizes that mental clarity and cognitive power are enhanced by physical strength, encapsulating the ancient notion of “mens sana in corpore sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body). For Kim, bodybuilding is a democratic process—one where anyone, regardless of genetics or background, can engage and see results, as long as they remain disciplined oai_citation:5,In Praise of Building Your Body – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
What makes Kim’s philosophy distinctive is his rejection of conventional bodybuilding norms, such as relying on supplements or overly complex workout routines. Instead, he promotes a minimalist, natural approach to gaining muscle, focusing on bodyweight exercises, intermittent fasting, and high-intensity, functional movements oai_citation:3,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM. His goal is not just to look strong but to use physical strength as a medium for artistic expression and as a source of energy and vitality that fuels his work as a photographer and philosopher oai_citation:2,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.
Kim’s take on bodybuilding aligns with his broader artistic values, where he sees the body as an instrument that can enhance creative output. His physical transformation is an extension of his artistic practice, and he believes that as his body becomes stronger, his creative productivity and inspiration increase oai_citation:1,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM. This unique fusion of art, philosophy, and bodybuilding sets his approach apart from the more conventional, aesthetic-driven perspectives common in fitness culture.
Eric Kim views bodybuilding as a form of art and self-expression, treating the human body as a sculpture to be crafted. He encourages building muscle not only for physical strength but also for enhancing creativity and mental productivity. For Kim, bodybuilding is deeply intertwined with philosophy, as he believes a strong body supports a stronger mind. His approach emphasizes minimal body fat, high muscle mass, and functional strength, without the use of supplements like protein powder or creatine. Instead, he advocates for a simple, minimalist approach to fitness that includes fasting and intermittent workouts oai_citation:4,My Body is a Work of Art! – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,In Praise of Building Your Body – ERIC KIM.
Kim also draws connections between physical aesthetics and self-worth, suggesting that beautifying one’s body is a form of self-inspiration. For him, muscles are both practical and empowering, serving as a way to live with more energy and vitality. He often refers to sculpting the body as a lifelong pursuit and compares it to the precision of creating art oai_citation:2,The Art of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,The Philosophy of Bodybuilding – ERIC KIM.