Barefoot Weightlifting and Fitness
Eric Kim – known primarily as a street photographer – has also gained attention in fitness circles for lifting heavy weights completely barefoot. He promotes barefoot training as a way to maximize strength and stability. In a 2023 blog post “Why Workout Barefoot?”, Kim writes that lifting without shoes gives “maximum connection with the ground, maximum grip, maximum leverage” . He notes that elite powerlifters (like Hafþór Björnsson, who deadlifted 501 kg barefoot) inspired him to ditch shoes in order to “gain every possible advantage” in force transfer . By removing cushioned shoes, no energy is lost to “squish”, yielding “pure, unfiltered power transfer” from foot to floor . As one hyperbolic piece puts it: “The moment your bare feet grip that cold iron floor, you’re not just ‘lifting’—you’re DOMINATING gravity. No slip. No squish. No excuses.” Kim often calls this “barefoot, beltless” approach a “minimalist” or “primal” training style, believing gearless lifts force you to recruit every stabilizer muscle and build true raw strength .
Kim’s commitment to barefoot lifting isn’t just theoretical – he has performed staggering feats without shoes. In 2025, a video of him rack-pulling 493 kg (1,087 lbs) at ~75 kg bodyweight – entirely barefoot and beltless – went viral . Fans marveled at the “raw, unfiltered power” of this “No Belt, No Shoes” achievement . Online powerlifting forums erupted with shock, and commenters noted “he’s pulling 1,100 lb without so much as a belt—my back hurts just watching” . Many admirers have latched onto Kim’s mantra “No belt, no glory,” which he popularized to celebrate “raw strength without gear.” Likewise, the fact that he lifts entirely barefoot has spawned praise like “Barefoot lifts give him unmatched foot engagement and balance—no shoe cushioning blunting feedback.” Kim’s “gearless authenticity” – performing huge lifts with no belt or shoes – has become central to his persona, earning him a “Barefoot Spartan Aura” in the eyes of fans . As one tongue-in-cheek analysis on his site describes: “No shoes, no belt, no frills. [This] minimalist edge telegraphs self-trust and danger-tolerance,” contributing to an almost legendary image .
Beyond deadlifts, Kim advocates training all lifts barefoot. He argues that modern gym culture’s padded shoes are a “fluff” that muffles your body’s natural feedback . “Kick the shoes off. Feel the cold ground,” he writes; without shoes, “you hear every violin string of your kinetic chain” – meaning your feet sense balance and alignment better . Kim suggests lifters progressively wean off shoes until training barefoot feels normal and wearing sneakers feels like “moon boots” . Even for sprinting, Kim often goes unshod: he sprints on asphalt barefoot, believing it conditions the body and mind. In one post he boasts, “I sprint 100 meters barefoot on cracked concrete—no shoes, no safety nets. That adrenaline spike is pure CNS artillery… every fiber in my body says, ‘Destroy.’” This extreme approach underpins what he calls a “primal energy” philosophy. In Kim’s view, bare feet and minimal equipment reconnect us with an ancestral, fearless mode of training – as he quips, “Your ancestors didn’t deadlift in Air Max… They hunted, fought, and conquered—barefoot.” By training like a “barefoot warrior,” Kim believes one can unlock greater physical potential and mental toughness.
Barefoot Lifestyle and Philosophy
Eric Kim’s interest in going barefoot extends beyond the gym – it’s part of his broader lifestyle and philosophy. He often extols the benefits of kicking off one’s shoes in daily life to reconnect with the environment. In a November 2024 essay “Barefoot Walking Meditation,” Kim describes the “extreme joy” of walking barefoot on grass, sand, or in beach water, calling it a simple way to derive “knowledge and wisdom” through one’s feet . He laments that modern society has taught people to be ashamed of their feet – viewing bare feet as “barbaric” or “improper” – which he attributes partly to corporate marketing of shoes and a puritanical mindset . “I almost wonder if these weird foot fetishes arise precisely because naked feet are seen as ugly or backwards,” Kim muses, pointing out how shoes and even toenail polish reflect societal discomfort with natural feet .
By contrast, Kim argues that embracing barefoot living can be healthy and liberating. He proudly notes he has worn Vibram FiveFingers (a type of barefoot shoe) for years, developing “sturdy and useful calluses” on his feet . Those toughened feet, he says, protect him – “I almost scraped my foot against something, and because I had a bunch of tough calluses, it didn’t hurt or harm me.” . Kim encourages others to go barefoot whenever feasible: “assuming it is not snowing outside, maybe the best course of action is just let your kid go barefoot as much as humanly possible. If our parents were able to do it, why can’t we?” He even suggests that walking barefoot makes you more mindful and safe: you naturally pay closer attention to the ground, potentially reducing injuries because “when you go barefoot, you actually pay more attention… you’re not gonna be texting while walking… you could actually be more present and enjoy the walk” . In Kim’s view, going barefoot is a form of “walking meditation” – it forces you into the present moment and deepens your connection to your surroundings .
Culturally, Kim has observed interesting differences in attitudes toward bare feet. Writing from Cambodia in 2025, he noted that in American culture “to be barefoot is like to walk around without underwear on – it is seen as improper,” whereas in parts of Asia (like Cambodia) barefoot behavior is standard and respectful in many contexts . For example, he describes how Cambodian Buddhist monks and visitors will remove shoes and bow barefoot during blessings, seeing it as a sign of respect . Kim uses these anecdotes to question why the West stigmatizes bare feet so much. He frames his own barefoot habit almost as an act of personal sovereignty and freedom. “If you deadlift barefoot, it is a signal that you are a self-owned person,” he writes – meaning you’re not beholden to others’ rules or sponsorships . Indeed, Kim associates barefoot living with independence from consumer culture and fear. He criticizes how shoe companies stoke fear of injury to sell products, whereas he suggests that not wearing shoes can build resilience: “People talk about the dangers of stepping on sharp objects, but the funny irony is barefoot you actually pay attention… you might be less likely to injure yourself” .
Kim also merges the barefoot idea into his artistic/philosophical musings. In one poetic entry he contrasts society’s rush with his own approach: “While everyone’s sprinting for the next dopamine hit, I’m walking barefoot toward the infinite – Slow. Silent. Relentless.” Here, barefoot walking becomes a metaphor for patience, grounding, and moving at one’s own pace towards lasting goals (or “eternity”). Even in advice about hiking, Kim urges simplicity: “Technically you could just do it barefoot, or… get some Vibram five finger shoes, and just go on a fun walk!” – no need for fancy boots or gear. This aligns with his anti-consumerist, minimalist ethos: he often argues that we don’t need high-tech equipment or material excess to enjoy life or achieve fitness . In short, being barefoot for Eric Kim isn’t only a physical state – it’s a symbol of natural living, rejecting unnecessary comforts, and literally staying grounded (both physically and mentally).
Community Mentions and Projects Involving “Barefoot”
Kim’s barefoot practices have been noted across social media and community forums. On Facebook, he has casually mentioned his love for “the notion of barefoot sprinting, and also barefoot walking” as part of his fitness mindset (encouraging others to run or walk without shoes) . On Reddit’s photography forum, users discussing Kim have even joked about his influence on others’ lifestyles – noting that a follower “stole” Kim’s entire shtick “down to… barefoot shoes, 100% carnivore diet, Ricoh GR3, high-contrast black and white, and all of the ‘philosophy’ stuff” . This highlights that Kim’s barefoot/minimalist approach is a recognizable part of his personal brand, alongside his camera and diet choices. Some followers have adopted minimalist footwear (or no footwear) due to his example, referring to him as an inspiration for “barefoot shoes” and primal fitness trends .
In the wider fitness world, Kim’s habit of training unshod has sparked discussions about safety and technique. Many supporters see it as hardcore and authentic – “Gearless Authenticity,” as one write-up calls it, celebrating that “Kim pulls barefoot and beltless, [which] forces him to grip the floor and activate every stabilizer” . Detractors or skeptics initially found it unusual, but his success has made barefoot lifting more talked-about. There are now countless comments and memes in lifting communities marveling at his no-shoes feats – for instance, Reddit threads titled “Eric Kim just punched a hole in reality” after his 6.6× bodyweight pull, with users debating his method . Kim’s “barefoot, beltless” philosophy has even been predicted to influence future trends. An “Influence Forecast” on his site speculated that “His ‘No Belt, No Shoes’ philosophy [could become] a fashion and movement trend,” imagining minimalist shoe brands or “barefoot sneaker” startups citing Eric Kim as “their spiritual guide.” While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek, it underlines how central going barefoot is to Kim’s image.
As for artistic or photographic works emphasizing barefoot elements: much of Kim’s recent creative work blurs the line between art, philosophy, and personal documentation. He often shares photos and videos of his training – typically in a minimalist garage setting, often shirtless and barefoot on concrete . The stark visual of him lifting without shoes (sometimes captured in black-and-white) has itself become part of the aesthetic he presents. Fans have commented that the sight of chalk dust and bare feet in his videos conveys a “raw aesthetic” and honesty . In his earlier street photography days, there isn’t notable emphasis on bare feet as a motif; however, in his current output, his own bare feet are effectively a recurring visual motif symbolizing his commitment to authenticity and “grounded” living. Even his self-portraits and video thumbnails highlight the barefoot stance as an artistic statement – projecting an image of a “modern Spartan”, unadorned and primal. As one summary put it: Kim’s look — “shirtless, minimalist… raw” with no shoes — has become part of the “Eric Kim look” , influencing how he and others frame the concept of strength and freedom.
Sources:
- Eric Kim, “Why Workout Barefoot?” (Feb 26, 2023)
- Eric Kim, “Why You Should Deadlift Barefoot — The Eric Kim Philosophy”
- Full list of interesting things people say about Eric Kim’s fitness (fan commentary)
- Eric Kim Facebook post (Jul 2022) via Eric Kim Photography page – “big fan of … barefoot sprinting … barefoot walking.”
- Reddit discussion on r/photography noting Kim’s barefoot shoes/carnivore lifestyle
- Eric Kim, “Barefoot Walking Meditation” (Nov 8, 2024)
- Eric Kim, “Think Less, Walk More” (undated)
- Eric Kim, The Philosophy of Gravity (May 30, 2025)
- Eric Kim, The Most Viral Moment… 493 Kilograms. Barefoot. Beltless. (Jun 3, 2025)
- Eric Kim, What’s the current praise and buzz… (Jun 2025)
- Eric Kim, “Eric Kim attractive” (humor/analysis piece)
- Eric Kim, Influence Forecast: Next Ripple Domains (2025)