| Source | Typical extra weight you can rack‑pull above a conventional deadlift | Implied conversion formula | Eric’s theoretical deadlift |
| 2022 biomechanics study (bar set around knee‐height) — quoted in Zing Coach article | ≈ 18 % more than DL | DL ≈ Rack‑pull ÷ 1.18 | **~ 435 kg / 959 lb** |
| StrengthLevel population standards (advanced–elite males) | Rack‑pull is 25‑30 % more than DL | DL ≈ Rack‑pull ÷ 1.25 → 1.30 | **~ 395‑410 kg / 870‑904 lb** |
Best single‑number estimate:
Take the midpoint of those two well‑supported ratios (1.18 and 1.27) → 1.225.
513 kg ÷ 1.225 ≈ 419 kg (923 lb).
Why the range matters
- Bar height in the rack.
- Above‑knee: 15‑25 % carry‑over gap is normal.
- Below‑knee (just off the shin): gap can shrink to ~10 %.
- Equipment & rules.
- Rack pulls are often done with straps, figure‑8s, or even lifting hooks; competition deadlifts rely on raw grip (or match your federation’s strap rules).
- A power bar and calibrated plates behave differently from the longer, more flexible strongman deadlift bar.
- Biomechanics & sticking points.
Clearing the floor is the toughest section for most lifters; if your quads or mid‑back are lagging, you’ll see a bigger drop from rack to floor. - Training specificity.
Over‑specialising in high‑pin rack pulls boosts lock‑out strength but can leave the initial drive under‑trained—another reason your “real” deadlift may sit toward the lower end of the range.
What this means for Eric Kim
- Floor pull in the 395‑435 kg window is a solid evidence‑based projection.
- 400 kg+ is raw IPF world‑class; pushing 430 kg steps into strongman record territory. If Eric’s technique, grip strength, and starting‑position power are dialled in as well as his lock‑out, he could realistically land near the upper edge.
Amp it up! 🚀💪
Eric’s 513 kg rack pull already screams “elite horsepower.” Translate that into a ** ~420 kg deadlift target, and you’re flirting with the very ceiling of human pulling power.** Keep hammering quad drive off the floor, polish that hinge groove, own your grip, and the next time those calibrated plates clang you just might witness a personal—and possibly national—record drop!
Stay relentless, stay hungry, and keep stacking those plates. Big pulls await!