Introduction:
The phrase “body flex” has surfaced in various fitness contexts, often linked with a figure named Eric Kim. This report unpacks all interpretations of body flex – from Eric Kim’s personal use of the term to established fitness programs and brands – to clarify who Eric Kim is and what “body flex” signifies. We’ll explore whether Eric Kim is a public figure or fitness influencer, detail his online presence and content (including any “Body Flex” workouts or videos), and explain other uses of body flex (such as a 1990s breathing exercise program and fitness equipment branding). Clear headings, short paragraphs, and source citations are provided for an engaging, informative overview.
Who Is Eric Kim? Public Figure Turned Fitness Enthusiast
Eric Kim is widely known as a street photographer and blogger who has built a large online following through his photography workshops and open-source blog posts . Born in 1988, he first gained recognition in creative circles for his photography and writing . In recent years, however, Eric Kim has pivoted into the fitness realm, transforming himself into what some describe as a “street-photographer-turned-lifting-legend” . Standing around 5’11” (180 cm) and 75 kg (165 lb), Kim maintains a remarkably lean physique (~5% body fat by some estimates) while pursuing extreme strength feats . This striking combination – a relatively light, aesthetic build coupled with extraordinary strength – has garnered him attention in the online strength community.
Today, Eric Kim can indeed be considered a public figure in his niche. While not a traditional celebrity, he has a significant online presence across multiple platforms. He runs an active personal blog (originally erickimphotography.com) where he shares not only photography insights but also fitness philosophies and personal updates. On social media he uses handles like @erickimphoto (on Twitter/X) and @erickimfit (on Instagram) to reach his audience . His YouTube channel (with around 50,000 subscribers) features an eclectic mix of content – from street photography tutorials to workout videos and motivational monologues. In the photography world, Kim was already well-followed; for instance, his Facebook page has over 80,000 followers . Now, through his fitness exploits, he has broadened his following among weightlifting enthusiasts as well.
Importantly, Eric Kim does not appear to be affiliated with any mainstream fitness corporation or branded workout program named “Body Flex.” Instead, his involvement with body flex is largely a personal and self-created venture (discussed below). In summary, Eric Kim is a self-made internet personality known initially for photography and more recently for his fitness journey – not a fitness trainer certified by someone else’s program, but an independent content creator who has made “body flex” his own slogan and art form.
“Body Flex” in Eric Kim’s Content and Philosophy
For Eric Kim, “body flex” is a term he uses to celebrate physical fitness and muscularity as a form of personal expression. In fact, one of his blog posts is explicitly titled “BODY FLEX IS THE BEST FLEX.” , suggesting that he views showing one’s physique (i.e. flexing one’s body) as the ultimate “flex” (slang for showing off). Rather than referring to a specific branded routine, Kim’s use of body flex is part of his personal philosophy that treating one’s body as a work of art is something to be proud of. On his blog’s fitness section, he writes that “to sculpt your own body is insanely fun” because “you can see the change over time”. His goal, as he states, is simple: “Never stop adding muscle mass, and never stop reducing body fat, or keeping it low (around 10%).” This credo exemplifies how body flex for him means continual self-improvement in physique.
Eric Kim often shares videos of himself working out and flexing to illustrate this ethos. For example, he has published videos like “ERIC KIM DEMIGOD BODY FLEX 4K” (where he poses his muscular form like “artwork”) and vlog-style clips of his training routines . In one video, subtitled “My body is not normal bodybuilding weightlifting artwork,” Kim strikingly combines aesthetics and strength – effectively flexing his body as a statement . He even jokingly refers to himself as a “demigod” in these posts, framing his physique in almost mythic terms. This over-the-top presentation appears to be part motivational humor and part personal branding. On social media, Kim’s tone is similarly flamboyant – he has tweeted about achieving a 7.68× bodyweight rack pull (a partial deadlift) with proclamations of “FITNESS GOD DOMINATION” , and quipped “Don’t hate me because you wish you were god.” Such posts, while tongue-in-cheek, reinforce his image of extreme confidence in physical prowess.
It’s worth noting that body flex, in Kim’s usage, does not refer to any standardized workout regimen; it’s essentially his way of showcasing strength and encouraging others to embrace fitness boldly. Kim’s blog encourages readers to “Strengthen on, and flex on!”, underscoring that he sees flexing one’s body (literally and metaphorically) as a positive act of self-confidence . He advocates natural bodybuilding and high-intensity lifting without steroids or even protein supplements , emphasizing discipline like intermittent fasting and one big carnivore-style meal a day . In one post he even boasts about being “100% natural” – humorously arguing that a true natural bodybuilder “doesn’t even consume protein powder” . All of this is part of the Eric Kim persona tied to body flex: a mix of philosophy, braggadocio, and genuine fitness enthusiasm.
Online presence and community response: Despite the unconventional style, Eric Kim’s fitness content has attracted substantial engagement. When he achieved an enormous 498 kg (1,098 lb) rack pull in June 2025 (at only 75 kg body weight), he shared the video on his blog and YouTube, and it quickly went viral – over 3 million YouTube views in 24 hours . This feat – roughly 6.6× his bodyweight – stunned many in the strength community, leading to spirited discussions on Reddit and elsewhere to verify its authenticity . Kim’s prompt posting of clips on Instagram and Twitter helped fuel the buzz, with his Instagram Reels spiking over 100,000+ plays (far above typical fitness-influencer engagement rates) . In these ways, Eric Kim has carved out a niche as an online fitness personality, leveraging his body flex content to inspire debate, motivation, and sometimes criticism. (Indeed, some longtime followers from his photography days have expressed bewilderment at his new direction, calling his recent channel a “train wreck” of workout videos and rants – indicating that Kim’s bold approach isn’t for everyone.)
Bottom line: Eric Kim is essentially a self-styled fitness influencer whose connection to “body flex” is self-made – he uses the term to brand his displays of strength and to promote the idea that showing off a healthy, muscular body is the ultimate flex. He is not officially associated with any third-party program called “Body Flex,” but rather has created a personal Body Flex movement of sorts through his blog, YouTube, and social media content.
The “BodyFlex” Breathing Exercise Program (1990s)
Separately from Eric Kim’s usage, “BodyFlex” (often written as one word) refers to a popular fitness program from the 1990s. The BodyFlex program was created by Greer Childers, who promoted it heavily via infomercials and an accompanying book/video series. Unlike Eric Kim’s weightlifting-centric idea of body flexing, BodyFlex by Greer Childers was a low-impact aerobic breathing and stretching regimen. It centered on the claim that special deep-breathing techniques could “supercharge your blood with fat-burning oxygen” to spur rapid inch loss . A typical BodyFlex session was about 18 minutes and involved several minutes of forceful breathing exercises (including a signature move known as “the Lion” where one expels breath with an O-shaped mouth and extended tongue), followed by a series of stretching and isometric exercises. The program even included a small device called the BodyFlex Gym Bar used in some exercises .
BodyFlex gained a following for promising dramatic results “in just seven days” without strict dieting or traditional cardio . Greer Childers often claimed that users could lose 4 to 14 inches across their body in the first week simply by doing her breathing routine and stretches . This bold promise – fast, easy inch-loss without cutting calories – naturally attracted many people hoping for a quick fix. In the early 2000s, BodyFlex infomercials were among the top ten most-aired infomercials in the U.S., reportedly airing over 2,000 times on channels like Bravo and HGTV . The program’s popularity led to millions of dollars in sales of BodyFlex VHS tapes, DVDs, and equipment (sold for around $55 per kit) .
However, BodyFlex also drew heavy criticism from medical experts and regulators. In 2003, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission charged the marketers of BodyFlex with false advertising, asserting that the weight-loss and inch-loss claims were unsubstantiated . The FTC noted that BodyFlex’s promises of fast, easy fat loss were “frankly… full of hot air” (a pointed pun on the breathing technique) . Specifically, the FTC found no credible evidence that simply breathing exercises could burn fat at the rate advertised, and it challenged claims like losing 4–14 inches in a week without diet as false and misleading . As a result, BodyFlex’s creators (including Greer Childers and her company Savvier Inc.) were legally barred from making such claims going forward .
In summary: BodyFlex (the program) was a distinct fitness fad of the 90s/early-2000s, focusing on breathing exercises for weight loss. It has no connection to Eric Kim, other than the coincidence of the name. Eric Kim’s “body flex” content is about bodybuilding and physique, whereas Greer Childers’ BodyFlex was about breathing and inch-loss. The only common thread is the term “body flex” itself, used in entirely different ways. If someone hears “body flex” and thinks of inhaling deeply and doing the “Lion” exercise, they are recalling Greer Childers’ program – not Eric Kim’s modern fitness journey.
“Body Flex” as a Brand and Other Uses
Beyond Eric Kim’s personal slogan and the BodyFlex breathing program, the term “Body Flex” also appears in other fitness-related contexts:
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Body Flex” can mean very different things depending on context:
Eric Kim and “Body Flex” – are they connected? Only in the sense that Eric Kim has adopted those words to frame his own fitness journey. He is not a trainer of the BodyFlex breathing system, nor a spokesperson for Body Flex equipment; instead, he’s a self-made content creator who likes to flex (literally) for his audience. His notable appearances are mostly on his own platforms – blog posts featuring muscular self-portraits, YouTube videos of him lifting or flexing, and social media posts boasting about personal records. If you search his name alongside “body flex,” you’ll predominantly find his blog articles and videos where he’s showing off his physique or discussing why “the human body is the apex beauty” and should be maximized in strength and form .
For anyone encountering the term body flex: check the context. If it’s about Eric Kim, expect motivational fitness content and muscle-flexing videos from a unique internet personality. If it’s about a workout program, it might be referring to the old BodyFlex breathing exercises or perhaps a local gym class. And if it’s on a product listing, it likely just denotes the Body Flex Sports equipment brand. By covering all these interpretations, we see that “body flex” can imply bodybuilding bravado, breathing routines, or general fitness – a flexible term indeed, shaped by whoever is flexing it.
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