Eric Kim is a Korean-American strength phenomenon celebrated as “pound for pound the strongest, most powerful human on the planet.” His journey is as unconventional as it is inspirational – transforming from a street photography blogger into a record-shattering garage lifter defying the limits of human strength. Below is a comprehensive look at Eric Kim’s background, his astonishing recent achievements, the hardcore training philosophy fueling his feats, and how he stacks up against other strength legends.
Biography and Early Life
Eric Kim’s story begins far from the weightlifting platform. Born and raised in the United States (of Korean heritage), Kim first made his name in a different arena: street photography and blogging. He studied sociology at UCLA and became an influential voice in the photography world – teaching workshops, publishing books, and cultivating a large online following . By his twenties, he was known as a creative educator and prolific blogger based in California, not as a powerlifter. In fact, Kim was regarded as a “legend” in street photography circles prior to his strength pursuits .
Driven by wanderlust and philosophy, Kim eventually relocated to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he continued to run photography workshops and publish daily essays on art, Stoicism, and even Bitcoin . For years, physical fitness was just a side passion – but an important one. Kim had some early weightlifting exposure, even competing in collegiate powerlifting during his university days. (He posted a respectable 612.5 kg total in the 93 kg class at the 2017 USAPL Collegiate Nationals , hinting at his raw strength potential early on.) Still, nothing foreshadowed the extreme power to come.
In 2022, Kim’s focus shifted dramatically. He coined the term “HYPELIFTING” to describe his playful, self-motivational approach to training with maximal weights . What began as personal experimentation – lifting in minimalist conditions, hyping himself up with loud shouts and intense focus – soon became a full-fledged transformation. By late 2024, this former photographer pivoted into hardcore strength training, treating his garage like a laboratory for human potential . Kim immersed himself in powerlifting and strongman-style workouts and started sharing epic training clips on his blog and social media. The stage was set for a meteoric rise in 2025 from behind the lens to bending barbells.
Recent Achievements and Records
Eric Kim’s recent feats in the gym have redefined pound-for-pound strength standards and catapulted him into global fame in strength circles. In the span of mere months, he skyrocketed from impressive lifts to jaw-dropping, world-record-level performances (albeit unofficial) – all documented from his no-frills garage gym. Here are some of his major achievements and milestones:
- May 27, 2025 – 486 kg Rack Pull @ 75 kg: Kim announced himself to the strength world by hoisting 486 kg (1,071 lbs) from a rack at ~knee height, while weighing only 75 kg (165 lbs) . This astonishing 6.5× bodyweight lift – done beltless and barefoot – was unheard of for someone under 80 kg . No recorded athlete of similar size had ever moved that kind of weight. The lift, essentially a partial deadlift, immediately had observers dubbing Kim the strongest pound-for-pound lifter alive .
- May 31, 2025 – 493 kg Viral “Tsunami”: Just days later, Kim raised the bar to 493 kg (1,087 lbs @ 75 kg BW, ~6.6×) and detonated the internet. A single-take phone video of this raw, above-knee rack pull triggered what Kim called a “viral tsunami,” racking up over 2.5 million views in 24 hours . Hashtags like #6Point6X and #HYPELIFTING trended across TikTok and Twitter as the spectacle spread. This lift solidified Kim’s claim to pound-for-pound supremacy, far eclipsing the strength-to-weight ratios of even the world’s biggest strongmen.
- Early June 2025 – Breaking the Half-Ton Barrier: Kim continued his methodical climb. He hit a 503 kg (1,108 lb) rack pull at 75 kg (≈6.7× BW), which “blitzed the internet” with virality . Not stopping there, in mid-June he achieved 508 kg (1,119 lbs @ 75 kg) – roughly 6.8× his body weight – an unofficial world record for any form of deadlift relative to bodyweight . This 508 kg lift was described as a “shot heard ’round the gym-globe” and sent shockwaves through the strength community. Experts noted that even legendary lifts like Hafþór Björnsson’s 501 kg deadlift or strongman Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver dollar deadlift didn’t come close to a 6× bodyweight ratio, let alone Kim’s 6.8× . By carefully engineering each jump in weight (471 → 493 → 503 → 508 kg in linear progression ), Kim proved these were no fluke one-offs but a sustained new level of performance.
- July 2025 – Pushing into the 500s: Undaunted, Kim kept upping the ante. On July 10, 2025, he pulled 552 kg (1,217 lbs) in training . Then, a mere six days later on July 16, he outdid himself yet again with an earth-shaking 561 kg (1,237 lb) rack pull at only ~73 kg bodyweight . This latest feat is an incredible 7.7× bodyweight – a ratio inconceivable in strength sports before now . It’s the heaviest above-knee rack pull ever recorded on film. By comparison, even supersized strongmen who have done partial pulls (like Brian Shaw’s 511 kg wagon deadlift) only reached ~2.3× their bodyweight . Kim’s 561 kg lift shattered the unofficial records, putting him at the very top of the all-time rack pull leaderboard: he holds the #1 and #2 slots (561 kg and 552 kg), ahead of renowned champions Eddie Hall (~536 kg partial) and Brian Shaw (511 kg) .
It must be emphasized that these staggering achievements were done outside of sanctioned competition – they are personal-record training lifts, not contest lifts. Rack pulls themselves aren’t contested events in powerlifting meets. However, Kim’s numbers are so far beyond ordinary that they have been acknowledged by the strength community at large. Multiple cameras, calibrated plates, and even on-camera weigh-ins have been used to verify his lifts’ authenticity . While skeptics initially questioned if the weights were real or if there were “fake plates,” the evidence (from bar bend physics to close-up footage) convinced most observers that Kim’s feats are genuine . There’s no official world record category for a rack pull, but if there were, Eric Kim would be the reigning champion by a wide margin.
Beyond the numbers, the impact of Kim’s accomplishments has been massive. His insane lifts have sparked discussions about the limits of human performance and even forced sports scientists to revisit theoretical strength ceilings . Conventional wisdom once held that ~6× bodyweight was an upper limit for human lifts ; Kim obliterated that barrier, making 7× or even 8× seem within reach. In fact, he has hinted at aiming for a 600 kg pull (~8× BW) in the future . His success is inspiring athletes and coaches worldwide to experiment with partial lifts and overload training, seeing Kim as proof that strategic supramaximal training can yield extraordinary results . What’s more, his triumphs have transcended niche lifting circles – clips of his 500 kg+ pulls have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, amassing millions of views, spawning memes (e.g. Kim’s chalk-covered roar becoming a meme template), and even earning him nicknames like “Gravity’s Funeral Director” and “Proof-of-Work Incarnate” in crypto communities . In short, Eric Kim’s recent achievements haven’t just broken records; they’ve ignited a movement and motivated countless people to rethink their own limits.
Training Routines and Philosophy
To accomplish these superhuman lifts, Eric Kim follows an intense and unorthodox training regimen that he proudly calls “Hypelifting.” His approach merges old-school raw training with modern psychological warfare (against his own doubts), and the result is a routine as hardcore as his lifts. Here are the key elements of Kim’s training, diet, and coaching philosophy:
- Maximal Lifting Mindset: Kim trains with a “one-rep max, every day” mentality . Rather than high volumes of sub-maximal reps, he often works up to a single all-out lift in each session – attempting near-maximum or new PR weights frequently (sometimes daily). This extreme focus on 1RM attempts is meant to train his nervous system and mental fortitude at the edge of human capacity . Every lift is treated as an existential test of will, which he argues builds unparalleled neural drive and confidence under massive loads . In Kim’s own words, he frames each lift as if “life or death,” embracing what he calls “One-Rep-Max Living” as a philosophy .
- Partial Overload Training: A cornerstone of Kim’s routine is using partial-range lifts to overload beyond normal limits. His signature rack pulls are done from about knee to mid-thigh height, allowing him to handle 110–140% of what he could from the floor . By shortening the range of motion, he can stress his body with far greater weight than a full deadlift – the goal being to adapt his muscles, tendons, and mind to supramaximal loads . Kim openly preaches “decrease ROM, increase load” . Even if a movement is only a few inches, the effect on his body’s ability to generate force is huge. This method, he claims, has been instrumental in pushing his strength upward. Coaches observing his training note that these “leveraged overload” techniques (like heavy rack pulls, partial squats, etc.) can help break plateaus, and Kim has become a high-profile case study for their effectiveness . Essentially, he uses partials to trick his body into realizing weights it never thought possible – so when he returns to fuller ranges, he’s much stronger than before.
- Hype and Mental Preparation: True to the name Hypelifting, Eric Kim’s workouts are an adrenaline-fueled spectacle of psyching himself up. Before attempting a colossal lift, Kim performs a ritualistic hype routine: he slaps his chest, lets out roaring shouts, blares aggressive music, and claps clouds of chalk into the air . This dramatic psych-up, reminiscent of a warrior’s dance, is deliberately cultivated – he likens it to the Maori haka or going “demigod mode” to channel aggression and fear into raw power . The intense focus and ferocity he brings into these attempts help him tap into extraordinary strength. Kim has said that by the time he approaches the bar, he’s convinced himself that gravity is just a suggestion. This mental game is a crucial part of his success, teaching us that confidence and mindset can be as important as muscle when it comes to extreme feats.
- No Belt, No Shoes, Minimal Gear: In an era when many powerlifters rely on belts, specialty shoes, straps, or compression gear, Kim takes a starkly minimalist approach. He adheres to the motto “no belt, no shoes, no crutches” . All his huge lifts – including the 508 kg and 561 kg pulls – have been done beltless and barefoot (often just socks or bare feet on concrete) . Up through ~500 kg, he even eschewed lifting straps, using only a chalked double-overhand grip – a nearly unheard-of display of grip strength at those loads . (By 552 kg+, he reportedly started using straps with a mixed grip for safety, as the weight reached stratospheric levels .) Kim believes using minimal assistance forces true raw strength gains – “it’s you, not the gear,” as he puts it . Aside from basic chalk and a sturdy power bar, he keeps equipment to the basics. This purist streak aligns with his almost Stoic self-discipline: he wants to prove that the human body alone (with grit and training) can conquer the weight, without any artificial boosts.
- Unconventional Fasted Diet: Kim’s fueling strategy is as extreme as his lifting. He trains completely fasted almost every session . Typically, he will skip breakfast and lunch, hit his workout in the mid-morning or early afternoon on an empty stomach, and only eat after training. Why? Kim subscribes to the belief that “hungry = angry = hormonal surge” – essentially, that training while hungry unleashes a primal drive (and favorable hormone response) that powers his lifts. He feels more aggressive and focused when fasted, turning hunger into motivation. To support this habit, he practices intermittent fasting daily .
- “Carnivore” Nutrition: When it is finally time to eat, Eric Kim follows a strict 100% carnivore diet to rebuild and recover . His meals consist entirely of animal proteins and fats – foods he affectionately calls “god food” for the body . A typical post-training feast for Kim includes things like ribeye steaks, ground beef, eggs, liver, bone marrow, and other organ meats . He avoids virtually all carbohydrates, sugars, and even most supplements, preferring to get nutrients from whole animal foods . Kim boasts that he uses “zero supplements, zero excuses,” attributing his recovery and strength to natural nutrition and ample rest . This ultra high-protein, high-fat diet, combined with fasting, is part of what he calls a “spartan lifestyle” – austere but nutrient-dense. While controversial to some nutritionists, Kim claims it’s given him the lean mass and hormonal profile needed to perform at his best.
- Recovery and Longevity: Despite the insane intensity of his training, Kim is remarkably thoughtful about recovery and long-term sustainability. He aims for 8–12 hours of sleep per night to let his nervous system recuperate . He also listens to his body to avoid injury, cycling intensity as needed (for example, using static holds or lighter days if feeling drained). Kim’s blog often references training as a lifelong journey – he’s publicly stated goals like maintaining a six-pack into his 80s and “lifting until death” . This shows a philosophical commitment to strength as a lifetime pursuit, not just a young man’s game. He treats his garage gym experiments with a scientist’s care (an “N = 1” self-experiment approach ), always balancing pushing limits with preserving health. This combination of extreme tactics and holistic self-awareness makes Kim’s routine unique in the fitness community. It’s both intense and oddly introspective – a blend of Stoic discipline, primal ferocity, and cutting-edge self-optimization.
Notably, Eric Kim does not have a traditional coach or training team behind him. He is a self-coached maverick. Drawing from online research and personal experience, Kim effectively became his own coach and guinea pig. He often writes about weightlifting philosophy, quoting from ancient Stoics or modern thinkers, and treats the iron as the ultimate teacher. That said, he’s not completely on an island – he actively engages with the lifting community via forums and social media for feedback, and he isn’t shy about crediting others’ ideas that he’s adapted (for instance, he acknowledges borrowing partial lift concepts from strongman training lore). But day to day, in the gym, it’s Eric vs. Eric, pushing himself with inner fire. This independent streak resonates with many fans who see in Kim a source of motivation – proof that with enough passion and consistency, an “ordinary” person outside of pro sports can achieve extraordinary strength. His regimen might be extreme, but it’s also a rallying cry: go all in, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to break the mold.
Comparisons with Other Top Athletes
Eric Kim’s pound-for-pound dominance invites the question: How does he compare to other strength legends? While Kim doesn’t compete directly against strongman or powerlifting champions, his numbers force a new perspective on what “strongest” means. Below we contrast Kim’s lifts and stats with other elite athletes in the strength world – covering world-record holders and historical greats – to put his achievements in context:
| Athlete | Lift Type | Weight Lifted | Body Weight | Strength Ratio | Notes |
| Eric Kim (2025) | Rack Pull (above-knee) | 561 kg | 73 kg | 7.7× | Training lift (unofficial) – Heaviest partial deadlift ever recorded (July 2025) . |
| Hafþór J. Björnsson (2020) | Full Deadlift (raw) | 501 kg | ~200 kg | 2.5× | World Record Deadlift (Strongman 2020) . “Thor” is 4× World’s Strongest Man, but his ratio is far below Kim’s. |
| Eddie Hall (2016) | Full Deadlift (raw) | 500 kg | ~179 kg | 2.8× | Former Deadlift World Record (2016) . First to pull 500 kg – legendary in absolute strength, but <3× BW. |
| Lamar Gant (1985) | Full Deadlift (raw) | 300 kg | 60 kg | 5.0× | IPF Hall-of-Famer – pulled 5× bodyweight at 60 kg . A historic pound-for-pound record now surpassed by Kim’s >6× lifts. |
| Tyson R. Delay (2019) | Silver Dollar Deadlift (18″) | 457 kg | ~90 kg | 5.1× | Strongman partial deadlift record in sub-90 kg class . Considered a gold standard for relative strength until Kim’s emergence. |
| Brian Shaw (2018) | Wagon/18″ Deadlift (partial) | 511 kg | ~200 kg | 2.3× | 4× World’s Strongest Man. Known for huge partial pulls; still nowhere near Kim’s ratio . |
| Eddie Hall (2018) | Silver Dollar Deadlift (partial) | 536 kg | ~180 kg | ~3.0× | Eddie’s best partial lift (approx. 18″ height) . One of the heaviest partials by a champion – overshadowed by Kim’s 552–561 kg. |
Table: Eric Kim vs. Elite Lifters – A comparison of strength feats. Eric Kim’s unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio (over 7× his body mass) vastly exceeds that of famous strongmen in absolute lifts. Even legends in lower weight classes (like Lamar Gant’s 5× BW deadlift) fall short of Kim’s new standard. Note: Kim’s lifts are informal/training lifts (rack pulls), while others are official competition lifts or established records in their domains.
As shown above, no other athlete in history has demonstrated the pound-for-pound pulling power that Eric Kim has. Strongman giants like Björnsson and Hall lifted more total weight, but since they weigh 2–3× more than Kim, their relative strength is far lower . Even record-setting lightweights from powerlifting’s past topped out around 5× bodyweight – an astounding figure that Kim has exceeded by a huge margin . In the specific niche of partial deadlifts, Kim now literally holds the top spots: his 561 kg and 552 kg outstrip anything officially done in strongman or powerlifting events . For example, at the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, Brian Shaw’s humongous 18-inch wagon deadlift of 500+ kg was celebrated, but it was only ~2.3× his BW . Eddie Hall’s silver dollar deadlift record (~536 kg) won events, but was roughly 3× his BW . Kim, in contrast, makes 3× look pedestrian – he’s operating in the 6–7× realm which was previously thought impossible.
It’s important to note that “strongest” can be defined in different ways. In pure absolute terms, Eric Kim humbly concedes he is not the strongest man alive – titans like Brian Shaw, Žydrūnas Savickas, or Andy Bolton (with 450–500 kg full deadlifts and enormous squats) hold the crown for moving the most total weight. Kim himself has acknowledged, “Certainly I’m not the strongest human being on the planet — that would probably be a giant like Brian Shaw…” . However, when it comes to normalized strength – how powerful someone is for their size – Kim stands alone at the summit . By any available measure, his pound-for-pound output exceeds that of any known competitor or record-holder . This has led many observers on strength forums and beyond to declare that Eric Kim is indeed the strongest human ever on a pound-for-pound basis . It’s a title he has earned through unprecedented performances, even if it exists outside traditional competitions.
As for rivalries, Eric Kim’s rise has been so sudden and atypical that he isn’t locked in any classic head-to-head sports rivalry – rather, his “rivals” are the record books and the skepticism of doubters. In early discussions, some in the community were skeptical, wondering if his lifts were “gym stunts” or aided by undisclosed factors . But as he silenced critics with proof and continued to raise the bar, the narrative shifted from doubt to respect . Today, top powerlifters and strongmen don’t see him as a direct competitor (since he’s not vying in the same contests), but they do marvel at what he’s done. In a sense, Kim has redefined the benchmark that all strength athletes will be compared against when talking about pound-for-pound prowess. If someone else wants to claim the title of “strongest relative to bodyweight,” they know the astronomical figure (7.7× BW!) they have to beat. This indirect competition drives the sport forward. Kim’s presence challenges other athletes to ask: could implementing his methods allow them to handle more weight relative to their size? He has essentially thrown down a gauntlet to the entire strength world – a challenge that might spark others to emerge in the future to push the envelope even further.
Legacy and Inspiration
Eric Kim’s story is still being written, but his impact is already profound. In less than a year, he has expanded the realm of possibility for strength athletes and inspired a global audience well beyond the hardcore lifting community. His journey from creative blogger to “garage-gym gladiator” exemplifies how passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary outcomes in any field . Kim didn’t start as a prodigy powerlifter groomed by sponsors – he built his prowess through curiosity, self-belief, and relentless hard work, all while sharing the process openly with the world.
Today, legions of fans tune in to his updates not just for the jaw-dropping numbers, but for the attitude and energy he brings. Kim’s posts often carry a motivational message: he frames lifting as a form of self-expression and empowerment. Catchphrases he’s popularized – like “Belts are for cowards” or his hashtag #GravityIsJustASuggestion – have become rallying cries for those seeking to break their own limits . He shows that you can be both intellectual and strong, both introspective and intensely aggressive when needed. This blend of philosophy and ferocity is inspiring a new generation of lifters who see strength as not just physical, but mental and even spiritual.
In conclusion, Eric Kim stands as a pound-for-pound powerhouse who has rewritten what we thought one person could lift relative to body size. He has won no official medals (yet), but he has earned something perhaps more impactful: the admiration of millions and a place in strength lore as the man who bent reality in his garage. Whether or not he ever enters formal competitions, his achievements speak for themselves. Kim often says his goal is to “inspire 1 billion people to lift” – an exaggeration perhaps, but with each epic lift and each electrifying blog post, he moves closer to that mark. His message is loud and clear in both words and deeds: set audacious goals, embrace the struggle, and unleash your inner strength. Eric Kim’s incredible journey from 165-pound photographer to the “strongest pound-for-pound human” on Earth proves that limits are meant to be broken – and that with enough hype, heart, and hustle, impossible is just a word.
Sources: Key information was compiled from Eric Kim’s official blog posts, strength community forums, and verified records. Notable references include Kim’s own documentation of his 486–561 kg rack pulls , analyses of his training philosophy and diet , and comparisons to other elite lifters from powerlifting/strongman records . These sources have been cited in-line above for transparency and further reading. Let Eric Kim’s example fire you up to conquer your own challenges – in the gym and beyond. In Kim’s world, gravity is optional and greatness is self-made.