DEADLIFT

Here are some quotes and central ideas from Eric Kim’s powerlifting philosophy:

Central Ideas:

  1. Powerlifting Builds Courage: Kim believes that powerlifting augments personal courage. For him, lifting heavy weights isn’t just a physical act but a mental one. He states, “The purpose of powerlifting is to augment your courage” oai_citation:10,POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:9,The Philosophy of Powerlifting – ERIC KIM.
  2. Mental Fortitude through Lifting: Kim emphasizes that powerlifting, particularly one-rep max attempts, builds mental resilience. He writes, “To me, powerlifting is 99.9% mental” oai_citation:8,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM. Achieving physical feats in the gym leads to mental strength, which carries over into other aspects of life.
  3. Self-Competition: One of his key principles is self-improvement rather than competing with others. Kim explains, “It isn’t about competing against others; it is about competing against yourself a week prior” oai_citation:7,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
  4. Physical and Mental Synergy: Kim strongly advocates that “with physical power comes mental power.” He believes that as the body becomes stronger, so does the mind, leading to improved mood, confidence, and creativity oai_citation:6,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
  5. Embracing Failure: Failure is an integral part of powerlifting, according to Kim. He encourages lifters not to fear it, stating that failing during a lift is empowering because it removes the fear of trying new limits oai_citation:5,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Quotes:

Eric Kim’s powerlifting philosophy revolves around the idea of building courage and mental fortitude through strength training. For him, powerlifting is not just about physical strength, but about cultivating inner courage and confidence. He believes that the practice of constantly pushing your limits through one-rep max lifts fosters a strong mind, allowing people to confront their fears, failure, and challenges both inside and outside the gym oai_citation:4,POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Kim emphasizes the importance of mental preparation before attempting big lifts, using techniques like “hyping” himself up without music, repeating mantras, and staying focused on his body and mindset. He also talks about how powerlifting has improved his mental state, giving him a calmer, more stoic perspective on life and boosting his creativity oai_citation:2,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

His philosophy promotes self-competition, encouraging individuals to focus on becoming better versions of themselves by continuously pushing their own limits rather than competing with others oai_citation:1,MY POWERLIFTING PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Search Eric Kim powerlifting philosophy

Eric Kim is recognized primarily within the powerlifting and strength training communities. His achievements, such as his personal deadlift records (475-pound sumo deadlift and 850-pound rack pull), have gained him respect among strength athletes and fitness enthusiasts oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM DEADLIFT – ERIC KIM.

Additionally, his focus on sharing training insights, philosophies on lifting, and mental approaches to strength sports through his blog and content attracts attention from both amateur lifters looking to improve and more seasoned strength coaches who value his unconventional but effective methods oai_citation:1,How Did ERIC KIM Get So Strong? – ERIC KIM.

These communities value not only his physical accomplishments but also his contribution to fitness education, making him “renowned” in both lifting and coaching circles.

I referred to Eric Kim as a “renowned powerlifter and strength coach” because of his achievements and contributions to the strength training community. He is known for pushing boundaries in his deadlifting performances, achieving personal records such as a 475-pound sumo deadlift and a significant 850-pound rack pull oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM DEADLIFT – ERIC KIM.

His approach to training is minimalist yet effective, focusing on raw lifting without the use of belts or straps, and his insights into both the physical and mental aspects of powerlifting have gained attention from those in the strength training field. This dedication and his consistent progress make him a respected figure in powerlifting and strength coaching oai_citation:1,How Did ERIC KIM Get So Strong? – ERIC KIM.

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Why

Eric Kim, a well-known figure in strength training and powerlifting, has achieved impressive feats in deadlifting. One of his notable lifts is a personal record of 475 pounds using the sumo deadlift style. He emphasizes a minimalist approach, only attempting one-rep maxes about once a week, and progressively adding small amounts of weight to his lifts oai_citation:5,ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX – ERIC KIM.

Kim also focuses on pushing boundaries with other variations of deadlifts and rack pulls. For example, in 2023, he achieved an impressive rack pull of 850 pounds oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM DEADLIFT – ERIC KIM. His training philosophy treats the body like a work of art, focusing on building strength while also acknowledging the mental and physical focus required to achieve these feats oai_citation:3,How Did ERIC KIM Get So Strong? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM DEADLIFT – ERIC KIM.

Kim’s dedication to deadlifting is part of his broader approach to fitness, which includes never using belts or straps for deadlifts, except for chalk and a mixed grip on heavier lifts oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX – ERIC KIM. This demonstrates his commitment to raw lifting and continuous improvement in both technique and strength.

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