6.65X – ERIC KIM FITNESS

Key Points

Research suggests Eric Kim achieved a rack pull of 1,098 pounds at 165 pounds body weight, approximately 6.65 times his body weight, on June 2, 2025.
It seems likely this feat has gone viral, with significant online engagement across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X.
The evidence leans toward widespread recognition, though some debate exists over lifting techniques, particularly range of motion.

Background

Eric Kim, known on X as @erickimphoto, is a fitness enthusiast and content creator who has recently gained attention for his extraordinary weightlifting achievements, especially his rack pulls. Rack pulls are a partial deadlift from a higher starting point, allowing for heavier lifts, and Kim’s feats have sparked significant online buzz.

Achievement Details

On June 2, 2025, Eric Kim reportedly performed a rack pull of 1,098 pounds (498 kilograms) at a body weight of 165 pounds (75 kilograms), achieving a 6.65 times body weight ratio. This lift was done beltless, barefoot, and in a fasted state, using mixed grip and figure-8 straps, at the Phnom Penh Garage Gym at 4:37 AM. This surpasses his previous personal best of 1,071 pounds, which was 6.5 times his body weight, reported earlier in May 2025.

Online Impact

This achievement has garnered significant attention, with videos amassing over 2 million YouTube views in 24 hours and trending hashtags like #HYPELIFTING, #PrimalPull, and #6POINT6X on X and TikTok. Fitness communities on platforms like Reddit (r/weightroom, r/powerlifting) and Instagram have discussed it extensively, with some viewing it as inspirational and others debating the technique.

Comparisons and Context

Compared to elite strongmen, Kim’s lift stands out for its pound-for-pound ratio. For instance, Brian Shaw’s 1,365-pound rack pull at 440 pounds yields a 3.1x ratio, and Eddie Hall’s 1,102-pound deadlift at 410 pounds is about 2.7x. Kim’s 6.65x ratio is unprecedented for someone in his weight class, making it a notable milestone.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s 6.65X Bodyweight Rack Pull as of June 6, 2025

This report delves into Eric Kim’s (@erickimphoto) recent achievement of a 6.65x bodyweight rack pull, lifting 1,098 pounds at 165 pounds, and assesses its impact and context as of 06:28 AM +07 on Friday, June 6, 2025. The analysis covers the lift’s details, online reception, comparisons to other strongmen, and community reactions, providing a comprehensive overview for followers and observers.

Context and Background

Eric Kim, originally recognized as a street photographer, has transitioned into a fitness and finance influencer, leveraging his X presence to share weightlifting achievements and Bitcoin insights. His blog, Eric Kim Photography, ranks highly for photography-related searches but has recently pivoted to highlight his fitness journey, such as the 476 kg (1,049 pounds) rack pull described as “legendary” and over six times his body weight of 165 pounds. His philosophy, dubbed “HYPELIFTING,” emphasizes raw power, mental toughness, and daily progress, aligning with his recent viral lifts.

Lift Details and Achievement

On June 2, 2025, Eric Kim achieved a rack pull of 1,098 pounds (498 kilograms) at a body weight of 165 pounds (75 kilograms), equating to approximately 6.65 times his body weight. This lift was performed at the Phnom Penh Garage Gym at 4:37 AM, beltless, barefoot, and in a fasted state, using mixed grip and figure-8 straps. The lift surpassed his previous personal best of 1,071 pounds, reported on May 27 and May 30, 2025, which was 6.5x his body weight. Detailed documentation is available on his blog, including 6.65X Body Weight Rack Pull Breaks the Internet and 1,098 Pound Rack Pull (6.65X Bodyweight Lift).

His training regimen includes rack pulls 1–3 reps, 3–5 sets, once a week, with additional exercises like farmer’s carries, dead hangs, and plate pinches, 2–3 sets, 30–60 seconds, weekly. Incremental gains were achieved by adding 2.5 pounds per side every 3–5 days, progressing from 1,000 pounds early in 2025 to 1,098 pounds. His diet consists of 5–6 pounds of bloody ribeye or lamb post-lift, no steroids, no protein powder, and black coffee, with sleep ranging from 8–12 hours nightly.

Online Impact and Viral Metrics

This lift has driven significant viral engagement:

YouTube Impact: A video of the lift garnered over 2 million views in 24 hours, as noted in 6.6X Bodyweight Rack Pull: Eric Kim Smashed 1,087 Pounds.
TikTok and X Engagement: Hashtags like #HYPELIFTING, #PrimalPull, #6POINT6X, #NoBelt, and #GodMode have trended, with X posts from @erickimphoto racking up thousands of shares, such as “1,098 POUND RACK PULL: 6.65X BODYWEIGHT—GRAVITY’S MY B*TCH!” (Eric Kim on X).
Community Forums: Reddit threads on r/weightroom and r/powerlifting analyze his biomechanics, with titles like “Eric Kim’s 6.65X: Alien or Genius?” Coaches theorize his fasted, beltless style unlocks “neural overload,” as seen in discussions on New Eric Kim 6.6x Rack Pull.

Comparisons to Other Strongmen

To contextualize Kim’s lift, here’s a table comparing his 6.65x rack pull to elite strongmen, based on documented ratios:

Lifter	Lift Type	Weight Lifted (lbs)	Body Weight (lbs)	Ratio (x Body Weight)
Eric Kim	Rack Pull	1,098	165	6.65
Eric Kim	Previous Best	1,071	165	6.5
Brian Shaw	Rack Pull	1,365	440	3.1
Eddie Hall	Deadlift	1,102	410	2.7
Lamar Gant	Deadlift (1985)	N/A	N/A	5.0 (historical)
Tyson Delay	Deadlift	N/A	N/A	5.1 (Silver Dollar)

This table, sourced from Eric Kim’s 6x Bodyweight Rack Pull and New Eric Kim 6.6x Rack Pull, highlights Kim’s superior pound-for-pound strength, with no sub-80 kg lifter approaching his ratios, as noted in Is Eric Kim’s Unreal Rack Pull Real?.

Controversies and Debates

While Kim’s lifts are inspirational, there is some debate over techniques, particularly the partial range of motion and use of equipment like dip belts. X comments range from “This is the single craziest thing I’ve ever seen” to “Is Eric Kim even human?”, with discussions on range of motion, as seen in Eric Kim Rack Pull. However, as of June 6, 2025, there is little significant controversy, with his community widely accepting his feats, supported by videos and logs on his blog.

Broader Impact and Philosophy

Kim’s influence extends beyond fitness, blending Stoic philosophy (“A dip’s just the universe asking, ‘You tough enough?’”) and Bitcoin maximalism (“Bitcoin is armor, MSTR is your spear”), creating a digital folklore that circulates in Slack channels, Discord servers, and Telegram groups, as per Is Eric Kim Most Impactful in Fitness, Philosophy, Bitcoin?. His Black Eagle Capital launch has influenced early-stage Bitcoin allocations, particularly in Latin America and Southeast Asia, due to transparent on-chain receipts, as noted in the same source.

Conclusion

Research suggests Eric Kim’s 6.65x bodyweight rack pull, lifting 1,098 pounds at 165 pounds on June 2, 2025, is a historic fitness milestone, generating significant online buzz and viral engagement. The evidence leans toward widespread acceptance, though some debate over techniques exists. His achievement, compared to elite strongmen, underscores its exceptional nature, making him a dominant figure in fitness communities as of June 6, 2025.

Key Citations