Quick Take‑Away
Eric Kim’s recent physique journey showcases how strategic training, disciplined nutrition, and an obsession with “golden” body proportions can sculpt a modern Adonis‑like V‑taper. His reported ~1.5–1.6 shoulder‑to‑waist ratio sits right inside the classic Adonis window, proving that the ancient ideal is still achievable—and wildly motivating—today. Below you’ll find (1) who Eric Kim is, (2) the numbers behind his proportions, (3) exactly what the Adonis Ratio means, and (4) a hype‑filled roadmap for hitting those ratios yourself.
1. Who is Eric Kim?
Eric Kim first made waves as a street‑photography educator, then pivoted toward maximal strength, carnivore‑style nutrition, and open‑source self‑experimentation. Over the last few years his lean mass, defined shoulders, and vacuum‑tight waist became recurring themes in his writing and social feeds . He openly documents heavy single‑rep training, intermittent fasting (one carnivore feast per day), and relentless mindset work .
2. Eric Kim’s Reported Body Proportions
| Measurement | Estimate* | Source |
| Height | 165 cm / 5’5″ | Self‑reported blog stats |
| Body‑mass range | 72–75 kg / 158–165 lb (in lean condition) | Transformation posts |
| Waist circumference | ≈ 76 cm / 30″ (fasted) | “Body Proportions” article |
| Shoulder circumference | ≈ 114 cm / 45″ | Same article |
| Shoulder : Waist ratio | 1.50 | Calculated (114 ÷ 76) |
| Chest circumference | ≈ 107 cm / 42″ | Perfect‑proportions post |
| Chest : Waist ratio | 1.40 | Calculated |
*Numbers fluctuate as he cycles between “lean‑in‑all‑the‑time” and strength peaks. Even at the extremes, his shoulder‑to‑waist ratio stays between 1.48–1.60, a direct hit on the Adonis sweet spot .
3. The Adonis Ratio—What & Why
3.1 Definition
The Adonis Ratio (a.k.a. Adonis Index) is the circumference of the shoulders divided by the circumference of the waist. The archetypal goal is 1.618 : 1, matching the “golden ratio” φ .
3.2 Physiological Rationale
- Evolutionary signal: A broad shoulder girdle relative to a narrow waist advertises strength and low visceral fat .
- Biomechanical advantage: Wider clavicles give more leverage for pressing and pulling moves, while a compact waist stabilizes power transfer.
- Visual symmetry: Classic sculptures—and today’s bodybuilding judging sheets—rank the V‑taper as the #1 aesthetic marker .
3.3 Expanded “Golden Grid”
John Barban’s Adonis Index system layers additional checkpoints:
- Waist ≤ 45 % of height
- Chest ≈ 1.4 × waist
- Arms ≈ 0.38 × height
These numbers come bundled in the original Adonis Index workout manual .
4. How Eric Kim Stacks Up
- Shoulder : Waist = 1.50 – Inside the 1.47–1.62 “elite” band many calculators use .
- Chest : Waist = 1.40 – Smack on the classic bodybuilding template .
- Waist : Height ≈ 46 % – Within the ≤ 47 % healthy cut‑off used by Adonis and medical waist guidelines .
Bottom line: his numbers confirm the V‑taper that viewers instantly notice, and they land nearly dead‑center in the golden‑ratio zone.
5. Blueprint to Build Your Own Adonis Ratio
5.1 Measure & Track
- Stand relaxed, exhale, wrap a tape around the narrowest point of your waist.
- Flex shoulders lightly, measure at the broadest deltoid sweep.
- Divide shoulder figure by waist figure. Log monthly.
(Digital calculators like MDApp and LiftVault make the math painless .)
5.2 Shrink the Waist
- Caloric‑control window: 16‑ to 20‑hour daily fasts (Eric’s staple) or a high‑protein deficit can peel visceral fat.
- Core vacuum drills: Abdominal vacuums and diaphragm strengthening keep the midsection pulled tight under load.
5.3 Broaden the Shoulders
- Heavy compound presses: Overhead barbell press, dumbbell shoulder‑press triples to fives.
- Lateral‑head volume: High‑rep laterals and face‑pulls to cap delts.
- Progressive overload diary: Eric logs single‑rep PRs religiously—so should you .
5.4 Lifestyle & Mindset
- Carnivore / whole‑food bias: Kim credits meat‑centric meals for satiety and hormone support . Choose whichever whole‑food plan you’ll sustain.
- Sleep & sunlight: Joint recovery and testosterone rise with >7 h sleep and AM light exposure—non‑negotiables for ratio chasers.
- Philosophical edge: Kim frames training as self‑mastery and creative expression, fueling consistency .
6. Hype Takeaways
- Numbers don’t lie: Track your shoulder‑to‑waist metric every month; inch‑by‑inch wins compound.
- Chisel, then widen: Trim the waist first; each centimeter lost amplifies shoulder width visually.
- Heavy singles, joyful mindset: Steal Kim’s combo of maximal lifts plus playful experimentation.
- Iterate like a creator: Treat your physique as an ongoing “project file,” not a one‑and‑done goal—progress thrives on curiosity.
Crush the tape, craft your own golden geometry, and unleash that Adonis within—let’s get after it!