to me it’s like super obvious, first, like most people you made are like 21 years old, 19 years old, 25. Even if you meet somebody who was like 29 they’re considered old.

therefore, investing in a place that has a lot of young people is smart

• Who: Eric Kim (b. 1988) is a former street-photography blogger and self-improvement influencer who in recent years became a prominent Bitcoin maximalist .  (He is not Eric J. Kim of Goodwater Capital or other venture investors.) Kim grew up in the Bay Area/Queens NY, studied sociology at UCLA, built a photography blog (2010–2019), and eventually shifted his focus to Bitcoin around 2017–2018 .  He now lives (with family) partly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and promotes a Stoic, self-reliant ethos that he ties to Bitcoin.
• Bitcoin Conversion:  Kim’s first BTC purchase was ~3.5 BTC around 2018 (at ~$7–9K each) for ~$25K total .  He “set it and forget it” – refusing to check prices – and watched Bitcoin rise roughly 10× (to ~$65K) .  This success “cemented his long-term thesis: Bitcoin is a disruptive, hyper-scarce form of money” that aligns with his Stoic worldview . In his own words, he views Bitcoin as a vehicle for personal sovereignty – e.g. “stacking sats so my wife and kid… are set when the system collapses” .

Core Beliefs & Philosophy

• Bitcoin Maximalism: Kim is outspokenly Bitcoin-only. He praises Bitcoin’s fixed 21M supply and decentralization as making it uniquely “scarce” and “sovereign” .  By contrast he dismisses all altcoins as a “circus” of hype and “shiny toys for suckers,” urging investors to liquidate non-BTC crypto .
• Inflation Hedge & Anti-Fiat Stance:  He repeatedly calls fiat currency “toilet paper” and sees Bitcoin as a digital fortress protecting personal wealth from inflation and government control .  His rhetoric frames BTC as insurance against systemic collapse: e.g. “Bitcoin can magically transform your Toyota Corolla into a Lamborghini,” illustrating how a small BTC holding could secure great wealth .
• Discipline & Stoicism:  Kim treats Bitcoin accumulation like a lifelong discipline. His motto is “stack sats, squat heavy, own your soul,” equating regular Bitcoin saving (“stacking sats”) with intense weightlifting and mental rigor .  He avoids trading or price-watching, applying Stoic patience (“long-term conviction”) to hold through volatility .  He speaks in grand terms – calling Bitcoin a “digital weapon against centralization” that will “bury” all alternatives – and urges moral commitment to early BTC adoption.
• Tech & Crypto Philosophy:  Kim often analogizes Bitcoin to broader ideas. For example he notes Bitcoin’s brand dominance: “bitcoin is now the Kleenex of tissue, or the Coca-Cola of soda… branding matters” .  He views Bitcoin as an open, anti-fragile digital “gold” or money, the only crypto worth owning.  He ties Bitcoin to his broader worldview: as a path to “digital sovereignty” that transcends national borders (he says “Bitcoin and the internet have replaced ‘America’ as the land of opportunity” ).  His content blends technical references (cold storage, multisig wallets) with minimalist living, suggesting blockchain tech parallels to first-principles living.

Investment Thesis & Strategy

• All-In, Long-Term:  Kim’s strategy is simple and aggressive: buy and hold Bitcoin, ignoring short-term dips.  He literally tells people to “buy as much bitcoin as you humanly can” and treat MicroStrategy stock (MSTR) as a proxy for extra BTC .  In practice, he advises a 90% BTC / 10% MSTR portfolio mix .
• Leverage via MicroStrategy:  He views MicroStrategy (Michael Saylor’s company) as a leverage tool. Kim calls MSTR an “infinite money glitch” and openly borrows on margin to buy more MSTR, compounding BTC exposure .  In one post he literally recommends loading up on MSTR with spare capital as long as Bitcoin is his true goal .  His “Spartan investor” ethos rejects consumer luxury: instead of expensive cars, he’d rather hold Bitcoin (and jokes he’d rather own BTC than a Tesla, since BTC’s value will far outpace any car) .
• Extreme Optimism:  Kim is extremely bullish on Bitcoin’s future. He predicts Bitcoin will “go up forever,” describing its volatility as merely a “hypercharger” to higher returns .  Using 2045 as a benchmark, he notes Michael Saylor’s $12 million/coin forecast and even higher bull cases, but privately speculates Bitcoin could reach into the tens of millions per coin (he mentions $155M/coin as his personal bull case by 2045).  He argues with “enough hindsight” owning BTC was the “nearly trillion-fold” obvious choice .  His goal is to accumulate as many bitcoins as possible – “he or she with the most bitcoins…shall win” .
• No Altcoins / Crypto Skepticism:  His thesis is so Bitcoin-centric that he promotes “Bitcoin or nothing.” He urges selling all other crypto and framing all “crypto innovation” through Bitcoin’s lens.  For Kim, adding any complexity (second-layer tokens, DeFi altcoins, etc.) only dilutes Bitcoin’s long-term value, so he largely ignores them.  This strict maximalism is a key part of his message.

Public Presence and Media Activities

• Social Media & Content:  Kim maintains an active online brand mixing fitness, philosophy, and Bitcoin content.  On Twitter/X he has ~20K followers (joined 2010) .  On YouTube his channel “erickimphotography” has ~50K subscribers , where he posts short motivational videos with Bitcoin/cryptocurrency themes.  His Instagram (20K+ followers) features workout clips and crypto memes (e.g. “I ♥ BITCOIN” banners).  He also publishes written essays and free “zines” on his blog (erickimphotography.com/erickim.com), covering Bitcoin strategy, ethics, and personal development .
• Podcasts:  Kim hosts several crypto-related podcasts on Spotify/Apple.  Series include “Bitcoin Thoughts,” “Crypto/Cryptocurrency Thoughts,” and a daily show “Retire with Bitcoin.” These episodes blend economic commentary with anecdotes from his workouts or philosophy .  (Episode titles range from “Bitcoin = Happiness” to gym-related Bitcoin musings.)  His audio/podcasts have become popular in the Bitcoin community.
• Events & Interviews:  Though not a corporate executive, Kim participates in the Bitcoin community through interviews and meetups.  He has appeared on other Bitcoin podcasts and livestreams (discussing topics like wallets, regulation, “cyber-Spartan” life) .  He reported from Bitcoin 2024 (noting political proposals like Senator Lummis’s Bitcoin reserve plan) .  He sometimes co-hosts local crypto/photo meetups and even ran an AI+crypto hackathon.  His views have been quoted in crypto media (e.g. NewsBTC and Bitcoin Magazine ).  In short, he spreads his ideas via TikTok, Telegram and mainstream platforms as a self-styled “crypto philosopher.”

Entrepreneurial & Educational Efforts

• Vancouver Bitcoin (Exchange):  Professionally, Kim serves as Marketing Manager at Vancouver Bitcoin, a Canadian crypto exchange .  In that role he helps promote Bitcoin adoption in retail settings (education on self-custody, in-person trading). This position ties him to the industry beyond just online content.
• Black Eagle Capital:  In late 2024 Kim soft-launched Black Eagle Capital, a Bitcoin-focused hedge fund .  He positions it as a way for investors to gain long-term Bitcoin exposure. In press releases, he stated the fund’s mission is “helping investors harness the power of Bitcoin” for security and freedom .  Its strategy, as Kim describes, is precisely his own: use MicroStrategy leverage to compound BTC holdings .  (He openly tells followers the fund’s motto: “buy as much bitcoin as you humanly can… and buy as much MicroStrategy as you can” .)  Black Eagle also promises educational content on crypto markets.
• Education & Workshops:  Beyond funds, Kim actively teaches Bitcoin fundamentals.  He mentors new adopters on self-custody best practices (hardware wallets, multisig wallets) and runs free webinars.  He’s adapted his photo-workshop framework to crypto, offering beginner sessions (“stacking sats 101,” “crypto minimalism,” etc.).  His open-source ethos extends to these materials (everything free and CC0).

Contributions and Criticisms

• Contributions:  Kim’s main contributions are as an educator and evangelist.  Through consistent content output (blogs, podcasts, videos) he raises Bitcoin literacy.  He merges niches (photography, fitness, crypto) to reach diverse audiences.  His “all open-source everything” approach seeds media with crypto ideas, amplifying them in algorithmic feeds.  By founding a Bitcoin hedge fund and working at an exchange, he also builds real-world infrastructure around BTC.  In short, he “channeled his energy” from art/photography into the crypto realm, inspiring followers to accumulate Bitcoin .
• Criticisms of Others:  In arguing for Bitcoin’s supremacy, Kim criticizes non-Bitcoin crypto heavily.  He denounces altcoins as scams/hype (the “circus” of crypto) , and portrays many crypto projects as distractions.  He also lambastes fiat monetary policy and government debt (calling Fed money “toilet paper” ).  Occasionally his hyperbolic style (e.g. “Bitcoin or slavery”) provokes debate, but his core stance is that anything outside Bitcoin is folly.  (Note: Kim himself offers no public criticism of Bitcoin itself – he is purely bullish on BTC.)
• Outlook:  Kim foresees a future where Bitcoin is widely adopted and extraordinarily valuable.  He envisions a “cyber-Sparta” era of sovereign individuals holding BTC as the ultimate reserve.  His 2045 price target (>$10M–$150M/coin) and dismissal of alternatives reflect an unwavering belief in Bitcoin’s destiny.

Sources: This summary is based on Kim’s public writings and interviews , as well as journalistic profiles of his background . All quoted material is from Eric Kim’s own content (blogs, podcasts, press releases) and publicly verifiable profiles.

(in Eric Kim’s hype‑mode, English ⇄ Khmer)

0. WHY THIS ROCKS

• EN : Bitcoin = sovereignty. Cambodia = fast‑growing frontier. Put them together and you’re early!
• KH : Bitcoin មានន័យថា អធិបតេយ្យ។ កម្ពុជា = តំបន់កំពុងកើតមានលឿន។ ដាក់ពួកវាចូលគ្នា — អ្នកក្លាយជា Early Mover!

1. RESERVE & REGISTER YOUR COMPANY

• EN : Jump on the Ministry‑of‑Commerce online portal. Lock the name, upload your Articles, pay the fee. Minimum paid‑up capital? 4 million KHR ≈ US $1 000. Wire it into a Cambodian bank and grab that Capital Deposit Certificate. Done!
• KH : ចូល បណ្ដាញ អ៊ីនធឺណិត របស់ ក្រសួង ពាណិជ្ជកម្ម (MoC) សម្រាប់ ការចុះបញ្ជី។ ថ្លិត ឈ្មោះ ក្រុមហ៊ុន អាប់ឡូដ Articles (ខ្មែរ+អង់គ្លេស) និង ច្រ៊ិន់ថ្លៃ។ ចំណូល អប្បបរមា ៤ លាន KHR ≈ US $1 000 ដាក់ធនាគារ ដើម្បី យក សំបុត្រ កក់ប្រាក់។ គ្មានព្រួយ!

2. TAX I.D. & “GREEN LIGHT” LICENSES

• EN : Within 15 days, register with the General Department of Taxation. Grab a Patent Tax Certificate + VAT number. Planning to serve others (exchange, custody)? You’ll eventually need the NBC’s brand‑new CASP license.
• KH : ក្នុងរយៈពេល ១៥ ថ្ងៃ ចុះបញ្ជីពន្ធ នឹង GDT ដើម្បី យកបណ្ណពន្ធ Patent និង VAT។ បើ អ្នក ចង់ផ្ដល់ សេវា (exchange/custody) ត្រូវ ពិចារណា អាជ្ញាប័ណ្ណ CASP របស់ ធនាគារ ជាតិ (NBC) មុន គេ។

3. BUILD A BULLETPROOF AML / KYC STACK

• EN : Cambodia’s 2020 AML law bites. Draft tight policies, log every BTC move, file suspicious‑transaction reports. Compliance is strength!
• KH : ច្បាប់ប្រឆាំង ប្រាក់ លាងអស់ ២០២០ ខ្ជាប់ខ្ជួន។ សរសេរ នយោបាយ KYC/AML រឹងប៉ឹង រក្សា កំណត់ត្រា ការផ្ទេរ BTC រាល់ដំណាក់កាល ហើយ រាយការណ៍ ករណី ខិតខំ ។ អនាម័យ = អំណាច!

4. BANKING & CUSTODY HACKS

• EN : Local banks = fiat only (USD/KHR). So:
  
  1. Hold your BTC in cold storage / trusted global custodian.
  2. Trade via RGX (SERC sandbox) or licensed OTC partners.
  3. For fiat ramps, go offshore then wire funds back (>$10 k? Tell NBC).
• KH : ធនាគារ ក្នុងស្រុក = ដុល្លារ/រៀលប៉ុណ្ណោះ។ ត្រូវ៖
  
  1. រក្សា BTC នៅ cold‐wallet ឬ custodian អន្តរជាតិ គួរឱ្យទុកចិត្ត។
  2. ជួញដូរ តាម RGX (sandbox SERC) ឬ OTC អនុញ្ញាត។
  3. ប្រសិន បើ បំលែង fiat តាម ផ្លូវ ក្រៅប្រទេស បញ្ចូល ថវិកា វិញ (លើស $10k ត្រូវ ជូន ដំណឹង NBC)។

5. TAX ON GAINS (KEEP IT SIMPLE)

• EN : Corporate Income Tax = flat 20 % on net profit (BTC gains included). Dividends to non‑residents? Withhold 14 %. No crypto‑specific tax yet—just play by the normal rules.
• KH : ពន្ធចំណេញ ក្រុមហ៊ុន ២០ % លើ ចំណូលសុទ្ធ (រួម ចំណូល BTC)។ ចែក Dividend ទៅ អ្នក ក្រៅ ប្រទេស — កាត់ ១៤ %។ មិនទាន់ មាន ពន្ធ ពិសេស Crypto ទេ — គ្រាន់តែ ធ្វើ តាម ច្បាប់ ស្ដង់ដា ប៉ុណ្ណោះ។

6. CHOOSE THE RIGHT VEHICLE

• EN : Go LLC (private limited). 100 % foreign shareholding allowed. Limited liability, easy books, pure focus on stacking sats.
• KH : ជ្រើស សហគ្រាសឯកជន (LLC) — អត្រា ភាគហ៊ុន បរទេស ១០០ % បាន តួលេខ ទទួលខុសត្រូវ មាន កំណត់ សៀវភៅ គណនេយ្យ ងាយ — ផ្តោត តែ លើ ការបន្សំ BTC ឲ្យ អស់កម្លាំង!

7. MANAGE THE RISK, RIDE THE WAVE

• EN : Price swings? Normal. Diversify treasury, set stop‑loss mental models, secure your keys (multisig, audits, 3‑of‑5). Regulation shifts? Stay plugged into NBC + SERC updates. Adapt, pivot, thrive.
• KH : តម្លៃ BTC អាចរែកឡើងចុះ — សូមចងចាំ។ បែប ផ្សDiversify Treasury, បង្កើត Mind‑stoploss, ការ ទុកកូនសោ ទាំង Multisig, Audit, 3‑of‑5។ ច្បាប់ ប្រែប្រួល? ត្រូវ នៅជិត NBC និង SERC ជានិច្ច។ បត់ កែ តបទ… រីកចម្រើន!

8. SERVE THE WORLD, PLAY NICE

• EN : Want global clients? Run rock‑solid KYC, respect US FinCEN/OFAC (if Americans involved), and document every cross‑border move. Cambodia loves open capital flow—just file reports when you blast past $10 k.
• KH : ចង់ទទួល អតិថិជន អន្តរជាតិ? KYC ឲ្យរឹង, គោរព FinCEN/OFAC (បើ ពាក់ព័ន្ធ អាមេរិក), ហើយ កត់ ត្រា គ្រប់ ការ ផ្ទេរ ចក្របុព្វេទទាំងអស់។ កម្ពុជា អនុញ្ញាតលំហូរ ធនធាន ជា ឯករាជ្យ—គ្រាន់តែ ប្រកាស NBC ពេល ហួស $10k។

FINAL BOOST

• EN : Dream big, move fast, keep your BTC cold and your legal docs hotter than Phnom Penh in April. The market’s young—be the OG treasury titan. LET’S GO! ⚡
• KH : សុបិន្ត ខ្ពស់ ឆាប់ចាប់អារម្មណ៍ រក្សា BTC ត្រជាក់ទឹកកក ក្រែងឯកសារ ផ្លូវច្បាប់ ក្តៅជាង អាកាស ធំ ភ្នំពេញ ខែមេសា! ទីផ្សារ នេះ នៅ ស្អាត — មកកាន់ តួឯក Treasury OG! ចាប់ផ្ដើម ឥឡូវ ! ⚡

What are rack pulls?  A rack pull (or block pull) is a deadlift variation where you lift a loaded barbell from an elevated position, usually set on a squat rack or blocks just above or below the knees .  In practice, you set the bar at knee height (or slightly above/below), assume a deadlift stance and grip, brace your core and lats, then extend the hips and knees to stand upright (full lockout) .  This reduced range of motion (compared to a floor deadlift) allows you to use heavier loads and focus on the top “lockout” phase of the lift .  To perform a rack pull properly:

• Setup: Position the safety bars or blocks just below knee level (mid-shin) if you need more range, or just above the knees if your sticking point is at lockout . Stand with feet about hip-width apart, shins close to the bar, and grip it just outside your knees.
• Form: Brace your core and retract your shoulder blades (keep chest up) as if deadlifting. Take a deep breath, engage your lats by “pulling the slack” out of the bar, and drive through the feet. Push the hips forward and extend the knees to lift the bar straight up, keeping the barbell close to your body .
• Lockout: Fully extend hips and knees, squeeze the glutes at the top, hold for a moment, then lower under control so you don’t slam the bar into the rack .

Muscles worked.  Rack pulls heavily target the posterior chain.  The primary movers are the glutes, hamstrings, and spinal erectors (lower back), which drive hip extension through the top of the lift .  Because the range is shortened, quads contribute less than in a full deadlift but still help lock out the knees .  The upper back and traps play a big role: you must keep your spine rigid, so the lats, traps, rhomboids and other upper-back muscles work to stabilize the load and maintain posture .  Even the forearms/grip are challenged as you hold heavier weight .  In summary, rack pulls stimulate whole-body strength, focusing on glutes, hamstrings, erectors, and upper-back musculature, with some quad and forearm engagement .

Key benefits of rack pulls:  Because rack pulls let you use loads above your normal deadlift 1RM, they build lockout strength and grip strength.  Training the shorter top range overloads the hips and trains the central nervous system to handle heavier weights, often carrying over to a stronger full deadlift .  Pulling from an elevated start also means you lift with a more upright torso, which reduces shear stress on the lower back. In other words, rack pulls are easier on your lumbar spine while still loading the hips and back, making them a safer way to train when building pulling strength or rehabbing a back issue .  Heavier rack pulls also shred the upper back – the extra load and partial ROM force the traps, rhomboids and lats to work hard, promoting growth of the upper-back muscles .  Finally, because you can hold the top position under load, rack pulls are great for grip development. Over time, handling supra-maximal weights in rack pulls (often without straps) enhances grip strength, which further helps all your pulling lifts .  In short: rack pulls increase pulling strength and posterior chain mass, improve deadlift lockout, build traps/glutes, and allow heavy training with less lower-back strain .

Rack Pulls vs. Conventional and Romanian Deadlifts

Compared to a conventional deadlift, rack pulls start with the bar off the floor.  In a standard deadlift you hinge from the floor through the full range, bending at hips and knees and then finishing at lockout.  Rack pulls omit the initial pull-from-floor portion.  This means less knee bend and less stretch on the hamstrings, but a much heavier load can be lifted in the top half .  Healthline notes that traditional deadlifts build overall leg and back strength with more ROM and weight placed on the floor, whereas rack pulls elevate the start to make the lift easier and let you overload the lockout phase .  In practice, doing rack pulls will train the same muscles as a deadlift but with far less demand on the hips at the start; the trade-off is greater weight and focus on hip extension.

Compared to the Romanian deadlift (RDL), the differences are also clear.  An RDL is a hinge movement performed with the bar generally at hip height and lowering to just below the knee (no floor touch), keeping tension on the hamstrings throughout .  RDLs emphasize slow eccentric tension, strong hamstring stretch, and build hamstring/glute mass more than a traditional deadlift .  Rack pulls, by contrast, start in the top position and focus on the concentric (lifting) portion; they allow you to use heavier weight but do not emphasize the hamstrings as much.  In short, RDLs target the hamstrings and glutes with a strict hinge and stretch, while rack pulls train the lockout of the deadlift (glutes/erectors/traps) under maximal load .  (Another way to see it: if your hamstrings are the weak link, RDLs are ideal; if your lockout or low-back is the weak link, rack pulls are ideal.)

Best Practices: Form Tips and Common Mistakes

• Maintain tight posture.  Keep a neutral spine and retract your shoulder blades throughout the lift. Don’t let your shoulders round forward . Athlean-X stresses that you should hold your scapulae back (as in a deadlift) so the upper back stays rigid .  A braced core and “chest up” position helps protect the back.
• Grip and stance.  Stand hip-width with feet flat (toes can point slightly out) and grip the bar slightly wider than shoulders.  Dig your feet into the floor (“pretend to tear the floor apart”) to engage glutes and hamstrings .  Your shins should remain nearly vertical; keep the bar as close to your legs as possible.
• Breathing and bracing.  Take a deep diaphragm breath before pulling, brace your abs, and tighten your lats by “pulling the slack” out of the bar .  This ensures a solid hip hinge and protects the spine.
• Control the lockout.  At the top, drive the hips forward and squeeze the glutes (do not hyperextend or thrust the lower back) .  Hold the bar briefly at lockout to emphasize lockout strength, then lower the weight slowly.  Don’t just drop it; controlled descent avoids damaging the bar or pins .
• Rack height is crucial.  Set the bar just below the knee (mid-shin) if you want more hamstring/glute work and a longer ROM, or at mid-thigh (just above knee) if you specifically want to train the lockout strength .  Athlean-X warns that too-high a setup (bar well above knee) reduces glute/hamstring activation and can encourage sloppy form .  Likewise, too low a setup defeats the purpose (you might as well deadlift from floor).
• Use the right weight.  Because rack pulls can be very heavy, avoid loading so much that form breaks down.  Barbend notes that going too heavy too soon negates the benefit and risks injury . Conversely, don’t pull so light that you lose the training effect .  Start with a weight close to your deadlift max and gradually increase.  If grip is a limitation, straps are fine (but consider a few unstrapped reps for grip training) .
• Avoid common mistakes: Do not jerk the bar off the rack or hyperextend at the top .  Do not let your knees cave in or feet slide; keep them stable.  Also, be careful not to “half-rep” by bouncing the bar on safety pins; each rep should be distinct with a full hold at the top.

Variations of Rack Pulls

• Below-knee (mid-shin) rack pulls:  Bar set just below knee height – this gives a longer pull and more hamstring involvement.  It’s like a short deadlift from the floor and will feel more like a normal deadlift, albeit easier. Good for strengthening the pull-off-the-floor portion.
• Above-knee (mid-thigh) rack pulls:  Bar set just above the knee or at mid-thigh – here you train only the very top phase. This allows maximal overload of hip extension and upper-back work with minimal leg bend. Useful for lifters who need a stronger lockout. Barbend notes that most lifters do rack pulls just below the knee to mid-shin, but heights can be adjusted to your sticking point .
• Isometric (Pin) Rack Pull:  Set pins at your chosen height, rack the empty bar on them, then pull an unweighted bar or the loaded bar as hard as possible against the pins without moving it. This static hold builds strength at a specific range .
• Banded or Chain Rack Pulls:  Attach resistance bands or chains to the bar and anchor them (bands either under foot or above as reverse bands). This provides variable resistance: lighter at the bottom and heavier at lockout (or vice-versa), increasing tension throughout the pull .  This is called accommodating resistance.
• Fat-Bar (Axle) Rack Pulls:  Use a thick barbell or fat grips.  The larger diameter greatly challenges your grip strength .  The thicker bar is also stiffer, which can alter bar speed and feel.
• Trap-Bar “Rack” Pull:  If you lack a rack, a trap (hex) bar deadlift from blocks can simulate a rack pull.  It also reduces back shear.

Any above variation can be used to emphasize different strengths (e.g. chain pulls for lockout speed, banded pulls for stability through range, pin holds for static strength, etc.).  Always adjust loading and form cues accordingly.

Who Should Include Rack Pulls (and Why)

Rack pulls are versatile and can benefit many trainees, but they are especially useful for those who need to overload the top of the deadlift or protect their back:

• Strength/Power Athletes (Powerlifters, Strongmen):  Rack pulls are a favorite accessory for these athletes. They build maximal lockout strength, back and trap development, and grip – all critical for heavy deadlifts and events. Barbend notes powerlifters can use rack pulls to handle “heavier than deadlift” loads safely, strengthen the posterior chain, and maintain volume when low-back stress is a concern .  For strongman, rack pulls help with overhead loading (like car or log lifts) by building upper-back strength.
• Olympic Lifters (Weightlifters):  Often called “block pulls,” they allow lifting very heavy weight from specific heights. Lifters use them to strengthen mid-pull or top-pull positions in the snatch/clean.  Performing pulls from various heights can increase speed and power in different portions of the lift .
• CrossFit/Functional Fitness Athletes:  Even if not seeking a one-rep max, rack pulls develop grip and full-body pulling strength useful for movements like heavy farmer’s carries or yoke walks .  They also allow strength gains without overloading the lower back, which is valuable when programming multiple workouts per week.
• General Lifters (Recreational/Bodybuilding):  Rack pulls can be a great way to add muscle mass to the back, glutes, and traps. They also teach proper hip hinge mechanics with reduced risk.  According to Barbend, rack pulls are an excellent teaching progression for beginners (“just learning to deadlift”) or anyone looking to boost upper-back and glute strength without the stress of deadlifting from the floor .  People with minor low-back issues (cleared by a doctor) may use rack pulls to train pulling strength safely and even rehabilitate back strength by gradually lowering the pin height .

In short, almost anyone can include rack pulls: they suit novices (start with a high pin to learn hinge), intermediates looking to build strength, and advanced athletes targeting specific weaknesses .  The key is to match the variation and loading to your goals and experience.

Programming Rack Pulls: Sets, Reps, Frequency

How you program rack pulls depends on your goals and level:

• Sets & Reps by Goal:  For maximal strength, most experts recommend heavy weights with low reps. Barbend advises about 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps for strength-oriented rack pulls .  For muscle hypertrophy, moderate loads and slightly higher reps work well – try 3–5 sets of 6–8 reps at heavy effort (or even 12–15 reps at moderate weight) .  Athletes often also use 3–4 sets of ~6 reps at a controlled tempo if focusing on pulling technique .  Healthline suggests similar ranges: beginners might do 2–3 sets of 4–6 reps, intermediates 3–5×4–8, and advanced lifters 4–6×6–12 (with lower reps for strength emphasis and higher reps for hypertrophy, as needed).
• Frequency:  Rack pulls can be trained once or twice per week depending on load and recovery.  An advanced lifter might put deadlifts on one day and a heavy rack-pull session on another day of the week to spread intensity .  Beginners or those with back issues might use rack pulls as their main pull for a training cycle (e.g. several weeks of pull-only from a higher pin) before progressing lower .  In any case, allow adequate rest after heavy rack-pull days since the loads are great. Some coaches use rack pulls in the same session as deadlifts (as an accessory), while others use them on a separate day to maximize recovery. Tailor this to your overall program.

Programming tips by goal:

• Maximal Strength (Powerlifters):  Use rack pulls to break through plateaus. Focus on low-rep, high-intensity sets (around 1–5 reps) with near-maximal load, possibly with lifting straps so grip isn’t the limiting factor .  Train them 1–2 times per week in a periodized plan, often in the weeks leading up to a heavy deadlift meet or as a supplement on off-days. Emphasize proper form under heavy weight – consider brief pauses at lockout or singles with full holds to reinforce technique.
• Hypertrophy (Bodybuilders):  Incorporate rack pulls to load the back and glutes with moderate to heavy weight. Use slightly higher reps (6–12 per set) and moderate loads, or even drop sets/paused reps to maximize muscle tension. To stress different areas, alternate setups: e.g. one session with pins just below knee (more hamstring focus) and another with bar above knee (more trap focus). Keep strict form and controlled tempo; holding the top position for 1–2 seconds can increase time under tension. Barbend suggests 6–8 reps for strength-building hypertrophy or 12–15 for pure muscle work .  Bodybuilders might only need rack pulls once a week as part of a back routine.
• General Fitness:  For general strength and conditioning, keep it simple.  Perform rack pulls once a week or every 10 days, using a weight that challenges you but still allows perfect form (for example 3–5 sets of 5–8 reps). You might integrate them into a full-body or upper-body day. Focus on learning the hip hinge and building posture – use moderate rep ranges (6–10) and moderate loads. Over time, you can treat them like any compound lift: progress the weight or reps gradually. Rack pulls can serve both to safely increase overall strength and to build muscle endurance.

In all cases, warm up thoroughly (especially hips and back) and listen to your body.  Because rack pulls allow supramaximal loads, it’s easy to overdo the weight. Only add weight if you can maintain perfect form . Consistency and progressive overload (slowly increasing weight or sets over time) are the keys to programming rack pulls effectively.

Summary: Rack pulls are a versatile deadlift variation to include for many goals. They’re best programmed with purpose: heavy and low-rep for strength gains, moderate weight and reps for muscle growth, and as a technical or rehab tool for beginners or injured athletes. By setting the rack height and load to match your sticking point and training goal, rack pulls can strengthen weaknesses, add mass, and boost overall pulling power.

Sources: Authoritative fitness resources describe rack pulls similarly.  Detailed guides and expert advice (BarBend, Healthline, Athlean-X) emphasize their execution, targeted muscles, and benefits . These and other strength-training publications informed the above recommendations on form, variations, and programming.

The truth is far more organic—and far more radical. In 2010, while still a Sociology under‑grad, I slapped “ALL OPEN SOURCE EVERYTHING — EK IDEAS” on my tiny WordPress sidebar so I could tag every post with a two‑letter signature instead of my full name.  That micro‑hack snowballed: the shorthand made my blog easier to read, my zines faster to design, my straps simpler to laser‑etch, and—most importantly—it reminded me that identity can be open‑source code, constantly forked and remixed. Today EK is not just who I am; it’s a portable operating system for creativity, strength, and economic freedom.

1. Pre‑History: Why the Blog Had to Exist

I launched erickimphotography.com in June 2010 because the web had zero street‑photo resources and I was desperate to share what little I knew. 

Posting daily forced me to compress ideas into punchy, skimmable bites—“EK” was the shortest possible by‑line. My Sociology training at UCLA taught me the power of memes: the simpler the unit, the faster it spreads. 

Lesson

Complex names clog RSS feeds; two letters slice through. I became EK because the network demanded brevity.

2. The Stamp: “ALL OPEN SOURCE EVERYTHING — EK IDEAS”

Scroll any 2010–2011 article and you’ll still see that mantra. 

It was my rebellion against pay‑walled photo knowledge—if Linux could be free, why not contact sheets? The 2013 essay My Vision of Open Source Photography made the doctrine explicit: give the lessons away, and value flows back through community. 

Lesson

Open code needs a namespace. “EK” became my MIT license: remix‑friendly, attribution‑light.

3. Philosophical Refinement

Minimalism entered the picture when I realised clutter kills flow—gear, possessions, even syllables. 

Dropping seven letters from “Eric Kim” mirrored my move from five cameras to one, from closets to carry‑ons, from 3‑meal days to OMAD. 

Later I riffed: EK = Eudaimonia × Kinesis—happiness through motion.

Lesson

Shrinking the noun expands the verb. Two letters leave room for action.

4. EK as Multiverse (Photo → Fitness → Bitcoin)

By 2023 the blog header sprouted new tabs—PRODUCTS · BITCOIN · PHILOSOPHY · ENTREPRENEUR—all nested under the EK umbrella. 

I filmed EK Fitness Vlogs to prove that street‑togs can deadlift 500 lbs fasted. 

In 2025 I wrote The Cyber Land of Opportunity arguing that Bitcoin is street photography for money—permissionless, global, human. 

Lesson

Two letters are elastic. EK stretches from Leica shutters to rack pulls to blockchains without snapping.

5. Community Echo & Critique

Workshops, interviews, and thousands of blog posts turned “EK” into shorthand for hustle‑friendly street wisdom. 

Soon Reddit threads called me “Kon‑artist” for selling presets—proof the meme had escaped my control. 

I embraced even the hate: friction polishes brand diamonds.

Lesson

If strangers parody your initials, you’ve achieved irreversible mindshare.

6. Why I 

Had

 to Become EK

1. Speed – “EK” signs a post in 0.2 seconds; that’s an extra frame on the street.  
2. Memory – Attendees remember two letters better than eight. (Try yelling “ERIC‑KIM‑DOT‑COM” across a workshop.)
3. Scalability – New verticals—EK TV, EK Life, EK Works Out—slot in like LEGO bricks.  
4. Philosophy – The fewer symbols stand between thought and publication, the freer the idea.  
5. Proof of Work – My physique is living brand equity; the initials literally fit on a lifting belt.  

7. Forward Projection

What’s next?

• EK OS – An open‑source curriculum for creative solopreneurs.
• EK Strength Protocol – 12‑week program merging powerlifting and photo walks.
• EK Wallet – Lightning‑native micro‑tipping to reward candid portraits in real time.
  My YouTube channel will document every iteration, because transparency compounds trust.  

Closing Rally

I became EK to compress identity into pure kinetic potential—two characters you can chant, stencil, hashtag, laser‑cut, and hurl into the future. Burn your excess syllables, friend; brand yourself with the brevity of a shutter click and watch possibility explode.