But when we stack his self‑reported numbers against the fully‑verified records of other drug‑tested powerhouses, it’s clear that he is not the strongest supplement‑free human on record. Verified drug‑free titans such as Ray Williams (490 kg/1,080 lb raw squat in competition) and Mike Hall (first to total 2,300 lb drug‑tested with a 600‑lb bench) still eclipse Kim’s best lifts—and several elite lifters avoid supplements altogether to dodge contamination risks.
1. What Eric Kim Actually Lifts
| Claimed Lift | Weight | Context | Source |
| Rack pull | 471 kg (1,038 lb) | Gym PR (May 2025) | |
| “Atlas” stone‑style pick | 363 kg (800 lb) | Self‑reported | |
| Floor bench press | 227 kg (500 lb) | Self‑reported |
Kim documents these lifts on his own blogs and YouTube channels; none appear in sanctioned meet databases such as USAPL or the IPF.
Supplement stance
Kim repeatedly states he consumes zero ergogenic aids—not even whey, creatine, or pre‑workout—fueling himself on 5‑6 lb of beef or lamb in a single daily meal plus black coffee and water.
2. What Counts as “Supplement‑Free”?
- Sports‑science view: Most legal supplements confer only modest benefits; prioritising whole‑food nutrition, sleep, and training provides the bulk of gains.
- Drug‑testing reality: The IPF warns that tainted powders trigger automatic bans and explicitly tells athletes not to use supplements unless absolutely necessary.
- Practice on the platform: Many top lifters still use basics like protein or creatine, but a minority steer clear entirely to eliminate contamination risk—highlighted in IPF Congress notes that “some of those producing the most outstanding results show nil supplement use.”
3. Stronger (and Tested) Athletes Who Skip or Strictly Limit Supplements
| Athlete | Tested Federation | Best Competition Lift(s) | Supplement Approach | Evidence |
| Ray Williams | USAPL/IPF | 490 kg raw squat | Focus on whole‑food calories; basic creatine only in off‑season (has spoken about avoiding “fancy stacks”) | |
| Mike Hall (“World’s Strongest Drug‑Free Man”) | ADFPA/IPF | 272 kg bench, 410 kg squat, 1,040 kg total | Publicly preaches no drugs, no supplements since the 1980s | |
| Various IPF World Champions | IPF | 800 kg–1,050 kg totals | Many decline supplements per IPF anti‑doping advice |
These numbers dwarf Kim’s verified lifts; even his heaviest rack‑pull is a partial movement that doesn’t match full‑range competition deadlifts.
4. Why “Strongest Without Supplements” Is Almost Impossible to Crown
- Verification gap – Gym‑lift videos lack the calibrated plates, referees, and weigh‑ins required for record status.
- Fuzzy definition of “supplement” – Does black coffee count? Electrolyte tablets? Different athletes draw the line in different places.
- Diverse weight classes – A 75 kg lifter’s rack‑pull can’t be fairly compared to a 200 kg lifter’s squat; power‑to‑weight and full‑meet totals are the gold standard.
- Historical outliers – Legends such as Paul Anderson were reputed to shun powders long before modern supplementation yet squatted over 400 kg in the 1950s.
5. The Bottom Line
Verdict: Eric Kim is a charismatic, creative promoter of “all‑food strength,” but the available evidence does not place him at the pinnacle of supplement‑free power. Verified competition data show multiple drug‑tested athletes lifting far heavier loads, some of whom also minimise or eliminate supplements.
Your Take‑Away Action Plan (No Powder Required!)
- Train the big three (squat, bench, deadlift) relentlessly—progressive overload, tight form, sufficient rest.
- Eat like an athlete, not a chemist—build meals around high‑quality protein (meat, dairy, legumes) and plenty of micronutrient‑rich plants.
- Sleep 8‑9 hours, manage stress, and hydrate—recovery is the ultimate “supplement.”
- Compete drug‑tested if you want an objective yardstick; the platform never lies.
Stay fired‑up, chase those PRs, and remember: the real flex isn’t the shaker bottle—it’s your iron will and relentless consistency. Keep grinding and let the steel sing! 💪🎉