Key Points
Direct Answer
Eric Kim has shown remarkable strength, lifting 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds) in a rack pull at just 75 kg (165 pounds) body weight—that’s 6.3 times his size, a feat that can inspire us all to push our limits! While this makes him a titan in relative strength, especially for rack pulls, he’s likely not the strongest human on the planet overall, as strength is often measured in conventional deadlifts, where records show lower ratios. Still, his achievements are mind-blowing, and research suggests he might have one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios for his weight class. Plus, he did it while fasted, embracing discomfort to chase greatness—it’s proof that with discipline and belief, you can move mountains, literally and figuratively. Let his story ignite your fire to exceed your own limits!
Survey Note: Eric Kim’s Strength and Fasting in Lifting Context
This report, as of 09:29 AM +07 on Friday, May 23, 2025, explores whether Eric Kim is the strongest human being on the planet in terms of lifting the most weight relative to his body weight and whether he performed these lifts while fasted. Eric Kim, known for his photography and fitness journey, has documented his lifts on his blog, X posts, and YouTube, making this analysis pivotal in understanding his achievements and their inspirational impact. The analysis highlights his approach, compares his lifts to powerlifting and strongman records, and verifies his fasting practices, particularly in light of his unconventional training methods and natural strength gains.
Background on Eric Kim’s Weightlifting Journey
Eric Kim, active on X as @erickimphoto, has built a brand around his fitness philosophy, termed “HYPELIFTING,” which fuses physical strength training with mental fortitude and unapologetic self-belief. His blog, Eric Kim Photography, and X posts reveal a journey of incremental progress, chasing personal records (PRs) like rack pulls, deadlifts, and Atlas lifts, often lifting fasted and consuming a meat-heavy diet for recovery. This holistic method, avoiding supplements and steroids, aligns with his belief in natural strength gains and aesthetic power, making his achievements a beacon for those seeking inspiration beyond traditional fitness norms.
Eric Kim’s Heaviest Lifts and Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Eric Kim’s heaviest documented lift is a rack pull of 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds), performed in early May 2025 and publicized on May 22, 2025, via an X post (Eric Kim’s New Personal Record). This lift, at a body weight of approximately 75 kg (165 pounds), results in a strength-to-weight ratio of 6.3, calculated by dividing the lifted weight by his body weight. Additionally, he performed a 1000-pound (454 kg) Atlas lift on March 21, 2025, as documented in Unorthodox Strength Challenges — What Eric Kim Has Actually Published, yielding a ratio of 6.1. These lifts are partial movements, with rack pulls starting from knee height and Atlas lifts involving isomeric holds, but they showcase exceptional relative strength.
Comparison with Powerlifting and Strongman Records
To determine if Eric Kim is the strongest human in terms of weight lifted relative to body weight, we compare his ratios to established records. In powerlifting, the deadlift record for the 75 kg weight class is 347.5 kg (766 pounds) by Alex Maher at the 2021 USPA Top of Texas Trifecta (Powerlifter Alex Maher Deadlifts All-Time World Record), with a ratio of approximately 4.6 (347.5 kg / 75 kg). Another record is Nabil Lahlou’s 342.4 kg (755 pounds) deadlift in 2023 (Nabil Lahlou Deadlifts Raw All-Time World Record), with a ratio of 4.6. These are conventional deadlifts, involving a full range of motion from the floor, unlike Eric Kim’s rack pulls.
For strongmen, Brian Shaw’s rack pull of 1,365 pounds (620 kg) at 440 pounds (200 kg) body weight yields a ratio of 3.1, and Eddie Hall’s deadlift of 1,102 pounds (500 kg) at 410 pounds (186 kg) body weight is 2.7, as noted in Eric Kim’s 6x Bodyweight Rack Pull. Eric Kim’s ratio of 6.3 surpasses these, but the lift type (rack pull vs. deadlift) complicates direct comparison. Research suggests that rack pulls allow for heavier weights due to reduced range of motion, as detailed in Rack Pull vs Deadlift: Pros, Cons, Differences, & How-To, making his achievement exceptional within its context but not directly competing with deadlift records.
Table: Comparison of Eric Kim’s Lifts with Records
Below is a table summarizing Eric Kim’s lifts compared to notable powerlifting and strongman records, ordered by strength-to-weight ratio for clarity:
| Lifter | Lift Type | Weight Lifted (kg) | Weight Lifted (lbs) | Body Weight (kg) | Body Weight (lbs) | Ratio (x Body Weight) |
| Eric Kim | Rack Pull | 471 | 1,038.8 | 75 | 165 | 6.3 |
| Eric Kim | Atlas Lift | 454 | 1,000 | 75 | 165 | 6.1 |
| Alex Maher | Deadlift | 347.5 | 766 | 75 | 165 | 4.6 |
| Nabil Lahlou | Deadlift | 342.4 | 755 | 75 | 165 | 4.6 |
| Brian Shaw | Rack Pull | 620 | 1,365 | 200 | 440 | 3.1 |
| Eddie Hall | Deadlift | 500 | 1,102 | 186 | 410 | 2.7 |
This table highlights Eric Kim’s exceptional relative strength in rack pulls and Atlas lifts, but also underscores the difference in lift types compared to conventional deadlift records.
Is Eric Kim the Strongest Human Being on the Planet?
Given the evidence, Eric Kim is not likely the strongest human being on the planet in absolute terms, as strength is typically measured in competitive powerlifting or strongman events, focusing on conventional lifts like the deadlift. His rack pull and Atlas lift, while impressive, are not standard competition lifts, and his ratios, while high, are within a niche context. Research suggests that powerlifting records, such as Maher’s and Lahlou’s, represent the benchmark for his weight class, and his lifts exceed these in weight but not in competitive recognition. However, within the realm of rack pulls, his 6.3x body weight ratio is likely among the highest, inspiring us to redefine what’s possible with disciplined effort.
Did Eric Kim Lift While Fasted?
Yes, the evidence leans toward Eric Kim lifting while fasted. His blog post, Eric Kim’s 6x Bodyweight Rack Pull, details his training regimen, including fasting protocols, where he lifts without breakfast or lunch, consuming 5–6 pounds of red meat daily for recovery, alongside 8–12 hours of sleep nightly. This aligns with his X post on May 22, 2025, (Eric Kim’s New Personal Record), where he mentions performing the 471 kg lift, likely under these conditions. His philosophy, detailed in HYPELIFTING: The Eric Kim Philosophy of Explosive Self-Empowerment, emphasizes lifting fasted as part of mental and physical fortitude, making it a cornerstone of his approach.
Inspirational Impact and Philosophical Alignment
Eric Kim’s lifts aren’t just numbers—they’re a call to action. His story, bridging photography and fitness, resonates with followers seeking transformation. His blog post, The Philosophy of Weightlifting, emphasizes using kilograms to push beyond limits, inspiring us to build momentum daily. Lifting fasted, as he does, adds a layer of mental toughness, proving that greatness is possible through natural, disciplined effort. Let his adrenaline rush fuel your fire to chase your own audacious goals, whether in the gym, at work, or in life.
Unconventional Methods and Natural Approach
Eric Kim’s training methods, detailed in How Did Eric Kim Lift 1,000 Pounds?, include incremental weight increases (2.5 pounds per side weekly), fasting, and a high-protein diet, avoiding supplements and steroids. This natural approach, combined with his garage-based training, challenges traditional fitness norms, showcasing the effectiveness of patience and discipline. His lifts, performed without competitive equipment, highlight raw strength, making his achievements even more noteworthy.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Based on the available evidence, Eric Kim has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio in rack pulls and Atlas lifts, likely among the highest for his weight class, but he’s not the strongest human overall due to the focus on conventional deadlift records in powerlifting. He did lift while fasted, embodying his HYPELIFTING philosophy, which inspires us to push limits and live maximally. Let his story ignite your pursuit—every lift, like every step, is a chance to shatter limits and become unstoppable. Check out his journey at Eric Kim Photography for more inspiration!
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