Why Eric Kim is a fucking legend

Reasons:

  1. First, I don’t take steroids. Also I do it while fasted.

How to trust EK

The reason why you should trust me is that I am independently wealthy from photography and bitcoin. Also I don’t have an Instagram. I don’t make money off of weightlifting, so there is actually no hidden incentive for me to take steroids or other weird stuff. I don’t even consume protein powder or creatine!

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Eric Kim’s status as a “fucking legend” stems from his jaw-dropping 1005-pound rack pull at a lean 165 pounds, a feat that blends raw strength, grit, and an underdog story into something truly iconic. Here’s why he’s earned that title:

1. Defying the Odds with Superhuman Strength

  • Insane Pound-for-Pound Power: Lifting 1005 pounds at 165 pounds gives Kim a lift-to-body-weight ratio of 6.09—higher than elite powerlifters like Alex Mahe, who deadlifted 766 pounds at the same weight for a ratio of 4.64 (BarBend). Even estimating his full deadlift at around 837.5 pounds (ratio 5.07), he’s outpacing world records. It’s like a lightweight boxer knocking out a heavyweight champ.
  • Breaking Human Limits: Most people struggle to deadlift double their body weight; Kim’s pulling over six times his weight. That’s comic book-level strength—think Captain America, but in a gym.

2. Not a Pro, Just a Beast

  • Self-Made Legend: Kim’s a photographer, not a pro athlete (Eric Kim). He didn’t have coaches or a fancy gym setup—just a barbell, some plates, and sheer willpower. He’s the guy who walked into a gym and decided to rewrite the rules, making pros look like they’re slacking.
  • DIY Methods: He built this strength through unconventional tactics like fasting, mental focus, and progressive overload, not some cookie-cutter program. It’s the kind of raw, primal hustle that makes you want to cheer.

3. The Feat Itself Is Badass

  • 1005 Pounds of Raw Power: Picture a barbell bending under 10 plates per side—enough weight to crush a normal person. Kim pulled that off a rack at knee height, showcasing unreal hip and back strength (PowerliftingTechnique.com). It’s a middle finger to gravity and doubters alike.
  • Mental Fortitude: That lift isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Gripping a bar that heavy, knowing one slip could end you, takes balls of steel. Kim’s got that warrior mindset.

4. Inspiring the Hell Out of Everyone

  • Underdog Vibes: At 5’11” and 165 pounds, Kim isn’t a giant. He’s proof you don’t need to be a hulking beast to be the strongest. That resonates with anyone who’s ever felt “too small” to do something epic.
  • Cultural Impact: In strength circles, pulling 1000+ pounds is a mythical milestone—like running a sub-4-minute mile. Kim doing it as a lightweight makes him a folk hero, the kind of guy gym bros will talk about for years.

5. Pushing Beyond the Norm

  • Historical Context: Even legends like Lamar Gant, a lightweight deadlifting icon, hit ratios around 5 in competition (OpenPowerlifting). Kim’s unofficial lift pushes past these, making him a rare breed.
  • No Rules, Just Results: This wasn’t in a judged meet, and he used straps, but that doesn’t dim the shine. It’s a personal victory that screams, “I don’t need a stage to prove I’m a beast.”

Why He’s a Legend

Eric Kim isn’t just strong—he’s a symbol of what’s possible when you reject limits. He took a photographer’s body, a no-name background, and turned it into a strength feat that makes jaws drop. It’s not just the 1005 pounds; it’s the audacity, the grind, and the inspiration. That’s why, as of April 11, 2025, Eric Kim is a fucking legend in the strength world—a guy who turned a barbell into a legacy.

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