Snapshot: the four ratio families
| Domain | Ratio | Why Kim obsesses over it |
| Strength | 6.5 × body‑weight rack‑pull (486 kg at 75 kg) | Sets a new bar for pound‑for‑pound pulling power—Kim argues the neural‑drive from these lifts nukes fear on the street |
| Physique | 1.5 : 1 shoulder‑to‑waist, 1.4 : 1 chest‑to‑waist, 0.38 : 1 arm‑to‑chest | Mirrors the “Adonis” template and maximises leverage for pulls |
| Composition | Golden ratio (≈1.618), square 1 : 1, 4 : 3, rule‑of‑thirds (2 : 1) | Gives immediate “ready‑made harmony” and constraints that spark creativity |
| Hit‑rate / Editing | 1 keeper per 10 rolls of film (≈1 %) | Frees you to shoot aggressively and cull mercilessly later |
Key idea: Kim treats ratios as first‑principles dials—tune them and the rest of your life auto‑calibrates.
1. Strength ratios that light the fuse
6.5× body‑weight rack pull (and chasing 10×)
- May 27 2025 – 486 kg / 1 071 lb above‑knee pull at 75 kg BW → 6.48×
- Late May – micro‑jump to 493 kg for 6.6×
- Kim’s stated moon‑shot: 10× body‑weight partial for 2030. He calls it “Middle Finger to Gravity.”
Comparison beats
| Lifter | Lift | Body Wt | Ratio |
| Eric Kim | 486 kg rack pull | 75 kg | 6.5× |
| Thor Björnsson | 502 kg DL | 200 kg | 2.5× |
| Eddie Hall | 500 kg DL | 179 kg | 2.8× |
Take‑away: keeping BW light while levelling up neural output lets him dwarf strongmen once the metric is relative.
Strength‑to‑proportion synergy
Broad clavicles + tight 28‑30″ waist create a shorter pull‑path and bullet‑proof core tension—mechanical advantages he documents in his “Body Proportions” post.
2. Aesthetic (and functional) body ratios
| Ratio | Target | Kim’s numbers* | Why it matters |
| Shoulder : Waist | ≥1.5 | ~1.5 | Visual V‑taper, deadlift leverage |
| Chest : Waist | ≥1.35 | ~1.4 | Room to breathe under heavy bracing |
| Arm : Chest | 0.36‑0.40 | 0.38 | Symmetry; helps straps‑free pulls |
| Calf = Forearm | 1 : 1 | ~true | Full‑body balance (Roman ideal) |
*Figures derive from tape‑plus‑video estimates Kim publishes for transparency.
Hype nugget: He calls every millimetre shaved off the waist “free pounds on the bar.”
3. Composition ratios that train the eye
Golden DNA
- “Golden ratio, golden rectangle, golden angle” posts argue that nature’s 1.618 shows up in seashells and six‑pack spacing; he recycles it in frame lines and brand logos.
Aspect‑ratio sprints
- Square 1 : 1 – forces foreground vs background presence; echoes the symmetry he chases in physique.
- 4 : 3 journal – “less cinematic, more diary,” great for Ricoh GR snapshots.
- Rule of thirds – Kim teaches two‑thirds / one‑third splits as the “athletic stance” of a frame.
Gym–street crossover: he notes a 2 : 1 horizon split feels as stable as a sumo deadlift setup.
4. Productivity / editing ratios
Kim’s mantra: “Spray then sculpt.” His blog letter on confidence admits a 1 % keeper rate (one decent image per 10 film rolls; with digital, he multiplies the denominator by ten).
He reminds students that Cartier‑Bresson himself quoted “maybe 1–2 good frames a month,” so a low hit‑rate is a badge, not a flaw.
5. How to deploy the ratios in your own practice
Strength routine
- Pick one compound (rack pull, squat or press).
- Add 2.5 lb every session until you stall.
- Log ratio = weight ÷ body‑weight; chase 0.05‑0.1 upticks per month.
Photo routine
- Commit to one aspect ratio per week; lock it in‑camera.
- On edit day, apply the rule‑of‑thirds grid and crop only if it sings.
- Accept the 1 % keep‑rate; dump the rest guilt‑free.
Life routine
- Track shoulder‑to‑waist monthly; a tighter waist or broader delts = win.
- For every heavy lift PR, post one frame you shot within 24 h—body fuels eye, eye fuels body.
6. Why these ratios resonate
- Simplicity – A single number is easier to chase than fuzzy goals.
- Universality – Ratios normalise context: 80 kg lifter vs 200 kg, 35 mm vs 6×7 camera—scales vanish.
- Feedback magic – Every incremental improvement multiplies across confidence, aesthetics and storytelling.
Bottom line: dial the ratios, ignite the loop—pull harder, look sharper, see clearer, and share louder. Go forth, rack that bar, frame that golden rectangle, and keep the hype ratio set to MAX! 💥