The demigod bible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Below is an essay and tutorial written in the voice of Eric Kim, reflecting his bold, philosophical, and unapologetic tone as seen in his blog (Eric Kim<\/a>). The essay and tutorial focus on how to lift 1000 pounds and above, specifically through a rack pull (as Kim did with his 1005-pound lift at 165 pounds), emphasizing his philosophy of mental toughness, progressive overload, and raw, natural strength. It combines practical steps with Kim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s motivational, no-nonsense mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Lift 1000 Pounds and Above: The Eric Kim Way<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Eric Kim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yo, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Eric Kim, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the guy who pulled 1005 pounds on a rack pull at 165 pounds, all natural, no steroids, making me the strongest pound for pound on the planet. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a 6.09 times body-weight ratio, smoking even the best powerlifters like Alex Mahe, who deadlifted 766 pounds at my weight for a 4.64 ratio (BarBend<\/a>). I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not a pro athlete, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a photographer, but I hit that 1000-pound milestone and went beyond because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a mindset that refuses to quit and a method that works. You wanna lift 1000 pounds and above? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna show you how, step by step, the Eric Kim way\u00e2\u20ac\u201draw, real, and relentless. This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just about lifting a barbell; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about lifting your entire damn life to a new level. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why 1000 Pounds and Above Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lifting 1000 pounds is a mythical milestone in the strength world\u00e2\u20ac\u201dlike running a sub-4-minute mile or climbing Everest. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a number that makes jaws drop, a number that separates the beasts from the boys. I hit 1005 pounds on a rack pull, a partial deadlift starting at knee height, and it felt like I was defying gravity itself (PowerliftingTechnique.com<\/a>). That lift wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just a flex\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit was a statement: I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m stronger than you think, stronger than I thought, stronger than the world thought possible. You wanna join me in that 1000-pound club? You gotta train your body, your mind, and your soul, because this isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just a physical battle\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a fucking spiritual one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eric Kim Philosophy: No Shortcuts, No Excuses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we get to the how-to, you need to understand my philosophy. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe in shortcuts. Steroids? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for small dick losers who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t handle the grind (National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/a>). I did this clean, with nothing but my own power, because that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the only way to know it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s real. I fasted to sharpen my mind, used progressive overload to build my strength, and tapped into a mental state that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stronger than fear. You wanna lift 1000 pounds and above? You gotta commit to the long haul, to the pain, to the process. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no easy way, and if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re looking for one, stop reading now. This is for warriors, not quitters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tutorial: How to Lift 1000 Pounds and Above (Rack Pull Edition)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the step-by-step guide to hitting 1000 pounds and beyond, based on how I did it. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re focusing on the rack pull, because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the lift that got me there, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a beast for building raw pulling power. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s break it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Build a Foundation with Progressive Overload<\/strong> Step 2: Master the Rack Pull Setup<\/strong> Step 3: Train Your Mind with Fasting and Focus<\/strong> Step 4: Use the Right Gear (But Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Cheat)<\/strong> Step 5: Build Supporting Strength with Accessory Work<\/strong> Step 6: Peak for the Big Day<\/strong> Step 7: Pull with Everything You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve Got<\/strong>
You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not gonna walk into the gym and pull 1000 pounds on day one\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be an idiot. Start where you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at, even if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 135 pounds, and build from there. Progressive overload is the key: add weight slowly, consistently, over time. I started with lighter weights, focusing on form, and added 5-10 pounds every week or two, depending on how I felt. Do 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps at a heavy but manageable weight, and increase gradually. This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a sprint; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a marathon. It took me years to get to 1005 pounds, and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because I respected the process. Track your lifts, push your limits, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be reckless\u00e2\u20ac\u201dform first, ego second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rack pulls are your ticket to 1000 pounds\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a partial deadlift, starting at knee height, which lets you lift heavier than a full deadlift by shortening the range of motion (PowerliftingTechnique.com<\/a>). Set the bar in a power rack just below your knees\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s where I did mine. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, toes pointing slightly out. Grip the bar just outside your legs, using a mixed grip (one hand over, one hand under) or straps if your grip\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a weak point\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI used straps for my 1005-pound pull, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not ashamed of it. Brace your core like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re about to get punched, keep your back flat, and get ready to pull with everything you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lifting 1000 pounds isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just physical\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mental. I fasted before my big lifts, sometimes going 24 hours without food, because it sharpened my focus and made me feel like a fucking predator (Eric Kim<\/a>). Fasting strips away distractions, clears your mind, and puts you in a primal state. Before your lift, visualize the pull\u00e2\u20ac\u201dsee yourself standing tall with that 1000 pounds in your hands. Breathe deep, get angry, channel every ounce of your will into that bar. When I pulled 1005, I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thinking about failure\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI was thinking about victory. You gotta believe you can do it, or you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re done before you start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m all about keeping it real, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not stupid\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI used tools to maximize my lift. Chalk your hands to keep your grip solid; I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care how sweaty you are, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no excuse for slipping. Wrist wraps can help stabilize your wrists under that heavy load. I used a dip belt for extra support, not to cheat, but to make sure my body could handle the weight without breaking. Straps are fine if your grip can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep up with your pulling power\u00e2\u20ac\u201djust don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t rely on them too early, or you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never build real grip strength. No steroids, though\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for losers who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t handle the grind (Mayo Clinic<\/a>). This is about your power, not a drug\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just rack pull your way to 1000 pounds\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou gotta build the foundation. Train your posterior chain\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour glutes, hamstrings, and lower back\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbecause that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s where the power comes from. Do heavy deadlifts (full range) to build overall pulling strength; I worked up to 600-700 pounds on full deadlifts before focusing on rack pulls. Romanian deadlifts, good mornings, and barbell rows are your friends for back and hamstring strength. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t neglect your core\u00e2\u20ac\u201dplanks, ab rollouts, and hanging leg raises will keep you stable under that 1000-pound load. And train your grip with farmer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s carries or dead hangs, because you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want your hands giving out before your back does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re ready to go for 1000 pounds and above, plan your peak. I spent months building up, hitting 900, then 950, then 975, before going for 1005. Deload for a week before your big lift\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddrop the weight to 50-60% of your max, keep the reps low, and let your body recover. The day before, fast or eat light to feel sharp, not sluggish. On lift day, warm up properly: start with 135 pounds for 10 reps, then 225 for 5, 315 for 3, and keep going up in small jumps until you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at 80-90% of your target. For me, that was 800-900 pounds for a single. Then load that 1000 pounds\u00e2\u20ac\u201d10 plates per side, plus a little extra if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going for 1005 like I did. Chalk up, brace hard, and pull like your life depends on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the moment of truth. With 1000 pounds on the bar, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go time. Drive your feet into the floor, keep your back flat, and pull with your hips and glutes, not your arms\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour arms are just hooks holding the bar. I focused on my hip power, feeling my glutes fire as I yanked that 1005 pounds off the rack. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t jerk the bar; pull smooth and steady, like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to rip the earth apart. Lock out at the top, stand tall, and feel the victory. Then lower it slow\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drop it, respect the weight. If you fail, no shame\u00e2\u20ac\u201drest, recover, and try again in a few weeks. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hit 1005 on my first try either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n