Blending Weightlifting with Yoga: The “Full Stack” Philosophy
Eric Kim – known as a weightlifter and content creator who famously pulled 498 kg at just 75 kg bodyweight – is an outspoken advocate for combining heavy lifting with yoga and flexibility work. He often refers to this well-rounded approach as pursuing “full-stack strength,” meaning embracing all forms of training instead of siloing oneself. In his view, “weightlifters should do yoga, and yogis should do weightlifting,” because the two disciplines together form “the perfect hybrid, between weightlifting and yoga” . Kim has observed that many in the fitness world stick narrowly to their camps (powerlifters vs. bodybuilders vs. yogis, etc.), but he prides himself on breaking those norms. “I essentially am the only guy I know who does yoga and can rack pull over six plates,” he notes, highlighting how rare it is to see extreme strength and great flexibility in the same person . He enjoys defying expectations – for example, he can drop into a deep pigeon pose or hold a planche handstand, then immediately walk over and deadlift a massive weight, shocking onlookers who assume serious lifters can’t be that limber . This open-minded “train everything” philosophy extends even to his social circle; he jokingly recounts telling a powerlifter that “I just did yoga” to achieve his build (before proving it with an impromptu handstand) . By blending mobility and brute strength, Kim believes one can become a more “fully formed” athlete, free of the biases that say lifters shouldn’t stretch or yogis shouldn’t lift .
Yoga in His Daily Routine and Training
Yoga and stretching aren’t occasional side activities for Eric Kim – they’re built into his everyday training. He often works out twice a day, hitting heavy weights in the morning and a yoga session in the evening . In fact, Kim spends an extensive amount of time warming up and mobilizing before attempting any max lifts. “What you don’t see in the videos is that I spend like an hour or two warming up… doing planches, muscle ups, ring exercises, calisthenic stuff, yoga stuff, mobility stuff etc.,” he reveals . He estimates about 30% of his total workout time is devoted just to yoga-like hip mobility drills – a significant commitment that underscores how crucial flexibility is in his regimen. According to Kim, this focus on hips and range of motion is not just for show, but a key to unlocking strength: “In order to lift 20% more weight, you must actually strengthen your hip joints and ligaments… I literally spend at least 30% of my workout time on yoga hip mobility stuff” .
He also integrates yoga on “rest” days and post-lifting cooldowns. A sample week from his training illustrates how seamlessly yoga and stretching are woven in. For example, after a heavy rack pull session on Monday, he’ll dedicate “15 min [to] hip openers (pigeon, lizard)” poses to stay loose. Tuesday might be an active recovery day with a “light yoga flow.” Later in the week, following a max “Atlas” deadlift on Friday, he holds a “deep squat [stretch] for 5 min” to maintain hip and ankle mobility. Even Saturday, which might feature bodyweight skill practice (like muscle-ups), is paired with a “full-body stretch.” In short, nearly every training day has a yoga or mobility component, whether it’s dynamic stretches, static holds, or even handstand practice, ensuring his joints stay supple alongside his heavy lifting . Kim sums up this balanced routine as mixing in “yoga, muscle-ups and calisthenics so the body can both bend and move heavy iron” – Mobility + brute force > either alone . He even attends yoga classes (mentioning doing a “weightlifting yoga” class with a friend) and suggests hardcore lifters get a yoga studio membership as a complementary habit . This consistent integration of yoga means that flexibility and mindfulness practices are not afterthoughts for him, but integral parts of his lifestyle.
Benefits He Claims from Yoga (Flexibility, Strength & Beyond)
Kim passionately credits his yoga practice for enhancing his weightlifting performance. He flatly states, “The more yoga I do, the higher all of my lifts have become,” linking increased flexibility directly to increased strength . In his experience, cultivating mobility (especially through hip-opening stretches and deep squats) has yielded tangible power gains. “The real secret sauce is this: the stronger and more flexible your hips, the more power you can output,” he wrote on social media, after 25+ years of lifting . In practical terms, having open hips and a limber body allows him to generate force more efficiently and safely. He notes that after combining heavy lifts with intensive yoga, “my spine feels like adamantine” – in other words, he feels unbreakable and more resilient to stress . This approach also contributes to injury prevention and longevity. Kim often contrasts himself with lifters who rely on belts or neglect mobility; by staying flexible and “bulletproofing” his body, he aims to avoid the fate of those who get extremely strong in their youth only to become immobile or hurt later . He’d rather be lifting and doing yoga well into old age than sacrifice his joints for short-term strength. There’s also a mental benefit: he finds heavy training more comfortable and confident when he knows his body can move freely. For instance, performing an explosive one-rep lift is less intimidating if he’s already warmed up with yoga flows and feels “loose” rather than stiff. This mind-body confidence loop is part of why he hypes yoga to other lifters.
Kim’s holistic mindset extends beyond just raw performance metrics. He has observed positive lifestyle and cognitive effects from the blend of yoga and weightlifting. In one blog post he mentions that his wife, Cindy (an academic), became noticeably “more productive as a scholar” once she started incorporating weight training and yoga into her routine . This anecdote suggests he believes the synergy of strength and flexibility training can boost energy, focus, and overall well-being. Moreover, Eric Kim is aware of yoga’s traditional mindfulness aspect. He even cites the classical definition of yoga from the Yoga Sutras – “Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind… Then there is abiding in the Seer’s own form” – pointing out that the goal of yoga is to quiet the mind and achieve inner stillness . While most of his writing emphasizes the physical side (he is, after all, pulling half-ton weights), references like these show that he appreciates yoga’s meditative dimension as well. It wouldn’t be unusual for him to treat his stretching sessions as a form of mindfulness or active meditation, helping him stay mentally calm and focused under the extreme strain of his lifts.
Key Takeaways from Kim’s Yoga-Strength Integration
- Flexibility as a Strength Multiplier: Eric Kim argues that building flexibility and mobility (through yoga) directly improves one’s lifting capacity. He is living proof, citing that hitting personal records became easier as his range of motion improved . In particular, he emphasizes hip mobility – open hips allow him to generate more explosive power in deadlifts and squats .
- Routine Incorporation: Rather than treating yoga as separate from lifting, Kim fuses them into one regimen. He routinely warms up with yoga poses, dedicates specific days to yoga flows or stretching, and cools down with deep stretches . This systematic approach ensures he retains elasticity even while pursuing maximum strength.
- Injury Prevention and Longevity: By balancing brute force with suppleness, he believes he can push his limits safely. Kim trains beltless and barefoot, relying on natural core strength and flexibility to stabilize himself . His mantra could be summarized as: a mobile body is a durable body. He often reminds fellow lifters that mobility is “just micro-strength” – an investment in the small muscles and connective tissues that protect you .
- Breaking Stereotypes & Mental Benefits: Kim’s embrace of yoga challenges the stereotype that serious weightlifters should avoid “soft” practices. He’s built a persona around excelling at both, thereby encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones. Additionally, the calming, focusing effect of yoga seems to carry over into his training mentality (he approaches heavy lifts with almost a zen focus, despite all the “Super-Saiyan” hype rituals) . By quieting the mind and controlling breathing – core principles of yoga – he can channel maximum intensity when it counts.
In summary, Eric Kim integrates yoga into his weightlifting routine at every level: philosophically, practically, and even socially. He speaks and writes extensively about the virtues of combining flexibility, mindfulness, and strength, whether on his blog, in YouTube videos (like “Yoga and Weightlifting”), or via energetic tweets. His experience serves as a case study that even in the pursuit of extreme strength, practices like yoga and mobility training have a vital role. For Kim, yoga is not just a cool-down or a side hobby – it’s a secret weapon that keeps him lifting stronger, longer, and with greater joy in the process .
Sources: Eric Kim’s personal blog and writings (e.g. “Conquer.” , “Bodybuilding Philosophy” , “The Philosophy of Gravity” , “Bulletproof” , “The Philosophy of Weightlifting” ), and social media content shared by Kim. These include direct quotes where he discusses yoga’s role in his training and life.