Key Points
- Research suggests Eric Kim achieved a 1000-pound Atlas lift through consistent training, progressive overload, intermittent fasting, a meat-heavy diet, and ample sleep, documented in December 2023.
- It seems likely that he performed a 1005-pound rack pull, with evidence from a dedicated webpage, though specific details are limited to video or image content, likely from around late 2023 or early 2024.
Eric Kim’s 1000-Pound Atlas Lift
Eric Kim, known for his street photography and fitness dedication, reportedly lifted 1000 pounds in an Atlas lift, a type of squat hold where the barbell is lifted from a rack slightly below full height and held on the shoulders. He achieved this by incrementally adding 2.5 pounds to each side of the barbell every 3 to 5 days, lifting while fasted, and following a diet heavy in beef or lamb with 8-12 hours of sleep nightly, avoiding supplements like steroids or protein powder. This feat was documented in a blog post from December 2023, showcasing his commitment to natural, sustainable training methods.
Eric Kim’s 1005-Pound Rack Pull
Eric Kim also appears to have performed a 1005-pound rack pull, a deadlift variation starting from a higher rack position, targeting the upper back and posterior chain. While specific details like the date or method are not fully text-based and seem to be documented via video or images on a dedicated webpage, his general fitness philosophy suggests he used similar principles of progressive overload and fasting. This lift likely occurred around late 2023 or early 2024, given his documented progression in rack pulls, such as a 910-pound lift in December 2024.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s 1000-Pound Atlas Lift and 1005-Pound Rack Pull
Eric Kim, a prominent street photographer and fitness enthusiast, has achieved remarkable feats of strength, including a 1000-pound Atlas lift and a 1005-pound rack pull. This section provides a comprehensive overview, expanding on the key points and including all relevant details from available sources, such as his blog posts and public webpages, as of 01:45 AM PDT on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Background on Eric Kim’s Fitness Journey
Eric Kim began his fitness journey at 12 years old, starting with basic exercises like running with rocks in his backpack, sit-ups, push-ups, and dumbbell curls and presses. His focus shifted in college to bodybuilding, weightlifting, and powerlifting, emphasizing compound lifts like bench press, squats, and deadlifts. By age 29, he had achieved significant strength, with a deadlift one-rep max of 415 pounds and a squat of 326 pounds. As of recent updates, he continued to push his limits, with lifts like a 610-pound squat walk and a 630-pound rack pull, showcasing his ongoing dedication.
His fitness philosophy is deeply tied to his photography, viewing his body as a work of art and believing that maintaining high physiological health enhances his creative productivity. This mindset drives his long-term commitment to heavy lifting, fasting, and a meat-heavy diet.
Detailed Analysis of the 1000-Pound Atlas Lift
The Atlas lift, as described by Eric Kim, is a variation of a squat hold. It involves loading a barbell on a rack slightly below full height, getting under the bar, lifting it with the legs, holding it on the shoulders for a few seconds, and then returning it to the rack. Eric Kim advocates for this lift as superior to traditional squats, claiming it builds significant strength in the legs, thighs, calves, hips, back, spine, shoulders, and abs.
- Achievement Details:
Eric Kim achieved a 1000-pound Atlas lift, documented in a blog post titled “HOW DID ERIC KIM LIFT 1,000 POUNDS?†published on December 14, 2023. The post details his method:- Training Frequency: He attempted the Atlas lift every 3 to 5 days, depending on how he felt.
- Progressive Overload: He incrementally added 2.5 pounds to each side of the barbell with every attempt, a strategy to gradually increase weight.
- Diet and Fasting: He practiced intermittent fasting, lifting weights while fasted (no breakfast or lunch) and only eating a large meal of 5 to 6 pounds of beef or lamb for dinner. He emphasized natural methods, avoiding supplements like steroids, protein powder, creatine, or pre-workout powders, relying instead on tap water, filtered water, or black coffee for hydration.
- Sleep: He prioritized sleep, aiming for 8 to 12 hours per night, which he believes enhances strength and recovery.
- Video Evidence: The post includes a video of the lift, accessible at https://videos.files.wordpress.com/IrZL8d5e/gx010759.mov.
- Context and Philosophy:
Eric’s approach is rooted in his belief that hunger, induced by fasting, channels strength, making him physiologically stronger, more alert, and focused. This aligns with his broader fitness philosophy of treating his body as a sculpture, aiming for continuous improvement and longevity.
Detailed Analysis of the 1005-Pound Rack Pull
A rack pull is a variation of the deadlift where the barbell starts from a higher position (on racks or blocks), typically targeting the upper back, traps, and posterior chain. It is often used to build strength for conventional deadlifts or as a standalone exercise.
- Achievement Details:
Eric Kim has performed a 1005-pound rack pull, as evidenced by a dedicated webpage titled “1005 pound rack pull†on his website [https://erickimphotography.com/1005-pound-rack-pull/](1005 pound rack pull). However, specific details about the date, training method, or technique for this particular lift are not readily available in text form, as the page appears to be primarily video or image-based, likely showing the lift itself. Given his documented progression, it is reasonable to infer this lift occurred around late 2023 or early 2024, based on his other rack pull achievements. - Context of Rack Pulls in His Fitness Journey:
Eric Kim has consistently documented his rack pull progress over the years. For example:- In December 2024, he performed a 910-pound rack pull, as documented in “910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS POWERED BY BITCOIN & MSTR MICROSTRATEGY†[https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2024/12/24/910-pound-rack-pull-deadlift-killer-eric-kim-demigod-fitness-powered-by-bitcoin-mstr-microstrategy/](910 POUND RACK PULL).
- Earlier lifts include a 605-pound rack pull in November 2022, as seen in “ERIC KIM RACK PULL 605 POUNDS†[https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2022/11/19/eric-kim-rack-pull-605-pounds/](ERIC KIM RACK PULL 605 POUNDS).
- He has also mentioned rack pulls in his broader fitness philosophy, emphasizing neutral grip variations and the use of straps to reduce strain as he approaches heavier weights (e.g., 1000 pounds), as noted in “Engineered to Win†[https://erickimphotography.com/engineered-to-win/](Engineered to Win). This focus on longevity and injury prevention is part of his long-term fitness strategy.
- Likely Method:
Based on his general approach, it is likely that Eric used similar principles for the 1005-pound rack pull, including progressive overload, fasting, and natural training methods. His philosophy of outdoor fitness and mixed grip techniques, as mentioned in various posts, suggests he aimed for even distribution of effort and mobility, which would support such heavy lifts.
Tables: Summary of Key Lift Details
To organize the information, here are two tables summarizing Eric Kim’s 1000-pound Atlas lift and 1005-pound rack pull, along with context from his fitness journey:
| Lift Type | Weight | Date (Approx.) | Method Highlights | Documentation |
| Atlas Lift | 1000 pounds | December 2023 | Incremental 2.5 lbs per side, fasted lifting, 8-12 hrs sleep, meat-heavy diet | HOW DID ERIC KIM LIFT 1,000 POUNDS? |
| Rack Pull | 1005 pounds | Late 2023/Early 2024 | Likely progressive overload, fasting, natural methods, video/image-based | 1005 pound rack pull |
| Aspect | Details for Atlas Lift | Details for Rack Pull |
| Training Frequency | Every 3 to 5 days | Not specified, likely similar frequency |
| Weight Increase | 2.5 pounds per side per attempt | Not specified, likely progressive overload |
| Diet – Fasting | Intermittent, fasted lifting, large meat meal post-fast | Likely similar, given general philosophy |
| Diet – Supplements | No steroids, protein powder, creatine, pre-workout | Likely none, consistent with natural approach |
| Hydration | Tap water, filtered water, or black coffee | Not specified, likely similar |
| Sleep | 8 to 12 hours per night | Not specified, likely similar |
| Video Evidence | Included in blog post, video | Likely on dedicated page, no text details |
Unexpected Detail: Integration with Photography and Philosophy
An unexpected aspect of Eric Kim’s lifts is how they integrate with his photography and philosophical outlook. He believes that a stronger, fitter body allows him to walk longer, crouch, run, and lie down for shots, enhancing his street photography capabilities. This connection, detailed in various fitness posts, shows how his physical feats directly support his creative work, which might not be immediately obvious to someone focusing solely on his lifting achievements. Additionally, his emphasis on natural methods and outdoor fitness, as seen in posts like “Engineered to Winâ€, highlights his rejection of steroids and short-term performance enhancers, aiming for longevity and durability, which is a unique angle in the fitness community.
In conclusion, Eric Kim’s 1000-pound Atlas lift and 1005-pound rack pull are the result of a decades-long commitment to heavy strength training, a meat-heavy ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting, and a philosophical approach that ties physical health to artistic productivity. His documented progression and dedication, as of March 21, 2025, make him a unique figure in both fitness and photography circles.
Key Citations