Eric Kim has turned his 60‑lb weight vest into a constant companion and creative tool.  As he writes on his blog, he literally wears it “all day every day, whenever I’m walking around the block, walking around town, [or] going on hikes.” .  He explains that after enough use “you even forget that you’re wearing it – and as a consequence, your whole body will strengthen in a good way” .  In practice this means strapping on the vest each morning (often after pounding coffee) and hitting the streets.  Eric reports that he takes long walks with the vest on (often recording ideas on his iPad by voice) .  In fact he jokes he gained “five or 6 inches in my chest” simply by strapping it on, and notes it instantly forced his upper body into stronger posture .

  • All-Day Wear:  Eric stresses he wears it literally “all day every day” when moving around city or hiking .  This daily usage builds strength and endurance: “after wearing it enough… you even forget that you’re wearing it”, making every walk a workout .  He equates it to training like “Goku in the gravity chamber,” slowly growing so strong you take it for granted .
  • Morning Routine:  Each morning he “toss[es] on [his] 60 pound weight vest” before leaving the house .  Eric describes a ritual of pounding espresso, strapping on the vest, and heading out on a fast-paced walk through town.  He even advises “go on a morning walk around town, with your 60 pound weight vest on!” .  These walks are his thinking-time: he dictates blog ideas on the go, recalling that “no great thought has arisen from a butt. Great thoughts can only arise from legs.”   In other words, he ties walking (with weight) to creative discipline, echoing his belief that he can only really think while moving .
  • Exercises & Movements:  Eric uses the vest to amplify bodyweight training.  He hangs wooden gymnast rings in his garage and does pull-ups, dips and even advanced calisthenics with the vest on.  For example, he describes doing “skin the cat” movements and weighted dips: “with my 60 pound weight vest on… [I] use my dip belt to attach a 105‑lb kettlebell (for 165 lbs total) and do chin-ups and dips on my wooden rings” .  He stresses keeping exercises standing and leg-driven: no machines or benches.  He even suggests never doing a seated exercise, but instead using “atlas lifts,” standing rack-pulls or yoke-walks – all with legs and posture engaged (see his Leg Wealth post ).  In short, his vest means every squat, walk or push-up becomes a full-body challenge.

Strength, Posture & Endurance Gains

Wearing 60 lbs constantly has produced notable physical effects.  Eric says the vest has dramatically improved his posture and presence: “now that I wear my 60 pound weight vest every morning, my posture has also improved.  As a consequence… I actually appear to be taller, more dominant.” .  In everyday life he feels more upright and powerful.  A side-benefit: he quips that women and shorter men notice the difference: women “don’t like it when I stand next to them” because he looks much more muscular and confident .  He even calls himself a “stud” now that he walks around in the vest: “Whenever I walk around town, I have women checking me out – even when I am alone with my 60 pound weighted vest on!” .

  • Strength & Chest:  Eric reports literal gains: “ever since I got my 60 pound weight vest… I instantly gained about five or 6 inches in my chest.”   His point: rather than obsessing over bench presses, simply adding the vest itself bulks up his torso.  In short, every push-up or stance carries the weight of extra plates.
  • Endurance:  By treating daily walking as training, he builds stamina and bone density.  He notes the vest “helps burn calories” and improves general fitness (as he’s mentioned elsewhere).  The cumulative effect is to turn every step into strength work.  As he puts it, the vest makes him feel like he’s been living in a high‑gravity environment – forcing his whole body to adapt.
  • Posture & Presence:  The constant load forces upright posture and engages core muscles all day.  Eric feels more imposing and confident when standing.  He even remarks that strangers on the street react: when he approaches “with my 60 pound weight vest on… people open up their phones… simply as a means to avoid eye contact” .  In other words, the vest makes him stand out – literally “Spartan body armor” – and others notice .

Mindset, Stoic Discipline & Identity

Beyond the muscles, Eric treats the vest as a symbol of discipline and minimal Stoicism.  He jokingly calls it “my new stoic Spartan fashion body armor accessory” , embracing its blend of strength and Spartan austerity.  The vest reinforces his hardcore routine: no lounging or excuses allowed.  This ties into his broader philosophy (he often cites Stoic thinkers) – endure discomfort to build character.

  • Stoic Commitment:  Wearing a heavy vest all day is a self-imposed trial of endurance.  Eric views it as a form of daily jiu-jitsu against weakness: every time he straps it on, he’s saying “bring it on” to his lazy habits.  In blog posts he frames it as a rejection of complacency – akin to a warrior suiting up each morning.  This echoes his “no sitting” ethos: “A great thought can only arise from legs,” never from a lazy sofa session .
  • Minimalist Identity:  By using one simple tool (the weight vest) for endless workouts, Eric practices a kind of minimalism.  He isn’t chasing fancy gyms or gadgets; his vest is basic, heavy, and ever-present.  In his mind, this embodies “Spartan” values: focus on essentials, embrace discomfort, and cultivate inner strength.
  • Confidence & Persona:  The vest even shapes how Eric sees himself.  He talks about feeling like an “immortal man” or demigod when fit.  His improved height and posture make him feel powerful and proud – not arrogant, but steady in his own presence.  As he says, it makes him “walk like a god monk”, focused and purposeful.

Integration with Creativity & Photography

Eric’s photography and creativity thrive on this regimen.  As a street photographer who spends hours on foot, the vest fuels his practice: more walks means more inspiration and more time shooting.  He carries a lightweight camera (e.g. a Ricoh GR III) so that his legs – not heavy gear – determine how far he goes.  In fact, his blog recommends light shoes and gear to maximize mobility .  The weight vest complements this: it turns every photo-walk into both a creative journey and a workout.

  • Walking Workshops:  Eric often leads street-photography walks (“workshops”) where he models long, energized street roaming.  He’s been known to do these with the vest on, showing students that endurance can be built into the craft.  His fans note that he’s “walking the city like a Spartan monk”, preaching deep focus and physical vitality.
  • Creative Edge:  By training himself to be uncomfortable, Eric believes he gains sharper awareness.  Enduring the vest’s weight heightens his alertness on the streets.  He often mentions that facing physical challenge helps him face creative risks – every click of the camera can feel like an action as intentional as a rep in the gym.

Where to see this in action:  Eric Kim writes about his vest on his official blog (e.g. posts “Leg Wealth”, “The Immortal Man”, “The Philosophy of Thinking” ), and he frequently films workouts (e.g. deadlifts and atlas lifts) on his YouTube channel while wearing the vest.  He also shares snippets on social media – for example, teasing that the vest is part of his “daily workout regimen”.

Key Takeaway:  Eric treats the 60‑lb vest as a daily discipline tool and mindset symbol.  It’s not just a training weight, but a statement – Stoic, minimalist, and fiercely motivating.  In his words: strapping on the vest “makes every simple action intense” and “turns walking into training” .  For Eric Kim, it’s as much about the mental edge as the muscle – a wearable reminder that growth comes through resistance, whether in the gym, the street, or the mind .

Sources: Eric Kim’s own blog posts and videos describe his 60‑lb vest habits in detail , from morning walks and weighted calisthenics to his reflections on posture, strength and stoicism. These firsthand accounts paint a vivid, energetic picture of the vest’s role in his life.