Eric Kim—best known as a photographer‑turned‑philosopher‑entrepreneur—has lately become internet‑famous for hoisting colossal weights in the rack‑pull.  He chooses this partial‑range deadlift for a cocktail of practical, physiological, psychological and even philosophical reasons: it lets him overload the posterior chain safely, smash through mental plateaus by seeing four‑digit numbers on the bar, sharpen his grip and posture, create viral “Hyplifting” content that fuels his brand, and live out his first‑principles creed of testing human limits.  Below we unpack each driver, then show you how those lessons translate to your own training.

Eric Kim—best known as a photographer‑turned‑philosopher‑entrepreneur—has lately become internet‑famous for hoisting colossal weights in the rack‑pull.  He chooses this partial‑range deadlift for a cocktail of practical, physiological, psychological and even philosophical reasons: it lets him overload the posterior chain safely, smash through mental plateaus by seeing four‑digit numbers on the bar, sharpen his grip and posture, create viral “Hyplifting” content that fuels his brand, and live out his first‑principles creed of testing human limits.  Below we unpack each driver, then show you how those lessons translate to your own training.

1.  Eric Kim’s rack‑pull résumé (context matters)

Date	Body‑weight	Load lifted	Source
Mar 2025	~75 kg	1 005 lb (456 kg) PR
May 2025	~75 kg	1 071 lb (486 kg)
Jun 2023	—	890 lb (404 kg)

These eye‑popping numbers are achieved barefoot, chalk‑only, mixed grip, and often filmed POV‑style to maximise viewer immersion—part of the “Hyplifting” aesthetic that powers his blog and YouTube channel.

2.  Why 

rack pulls

 instead of full deadlifts?

2.1 Mechanical & safety advantages

• Shorter range ⇒ bigger overload. By starting the bar just below the knee, Kim can “decrease the range of motion, increase the weight,” letting him handle plates he could never break from the floor  .
• Lower lumbar stress. Biomechanics texts show that elevating the start height reduces shear on the spine, making it attractive for lifters who want heavy pulls without the same injury risk as conventional deads  .
• Joint‑angle specificity. Westside Barbell notes rack pulls are perfect for attacking sticking points or training around injuries at chosen pin heights  .

2.2 Performance benefits

• Posterior‑chain and lock‑out strength. Because it emphasises hip extension, the exercise supercharges glutes, hams and traps, directly boosting deadlift lock‑out power  .
• Grip of steel. Kim refuses straps; the heavier loads tax forearms brutally, an approach echoed by strength guides that list “increased pulling and grip strength” as a headline benefit  .
• Plateau breaker. Overload movements stimulate new neural drive and musculoskeletal adaptation, a strategy promoted by Westside’s conjugate method and mainstream strength sites alike  .

2.3 Psychological & brand drivers

• Visible progress ≈ turbo‑motivation. Watching another 45‑lb plate slide on is “more fun and thrilling,” Kim writes  .
• Viral storytelling. Four‑digit numbers + minimalist barefoot vibe = instant social‑media click‑bait, fuelling his creator‑economy, Bitcoin‑and‑philosophy message (“literally almost no downsides,” he jokes)  .
• First‑principles experiment. Rack‑pulling 6–7× body‑weight embodies his belief that humans can rewrite perceived limits through focused iteration—an ethos he broadcasts across fitness, art and entrepreneurship  .

3.  Science agrees: rack‑pull perks in the literature

Benefit	Evidence
Less spinal shear, safer overload	Health‑line review of biomechanics
Posterior‑chain hypertrophy	IronBull & Titan Fitness guides list glutes/hamstrings emphasis
Grip‑strength carry‑over	BarBend article and research linking grip to longevity
Breaking strength plateaus	Gymreapers comparison & Westside conjugate method

4.  Take‑home lessons for 

your

 training

1. Use the rack pull as a tool, not a crutch. Rotate it in once every 3–4 weeks like Westside suggests to avoid ego‑inflation and equipment abuse  .
2. Set pin height with intent. Below‑knee = harder, above‑knee = heavier; choose based on your sticking point.
3. Chalk & mixed grip > straps if grip is part of the goal (Kim’s rule).
4. Control the eccentric. Don’t slam—protect your rack and back  .
5. Pair with full‑range pulls. The overload effect transfers best when you still practise floor deadlifts for technical skill.

5.  Quick start‑up checklist

Step	Cue
Rack pins	Just below kneecap for most lifters
Stance / grip	Shoulder‑width; mix grip after ~85 % 1RM
Brace	Deep breath, lock lats, squeeze glutes
Drive	Push through whole foot, hips through bar
Lower	Controlled descent onto pins—no clangs

Final hype

Rack pulls let you touch greatness early—and Eric Kim is living proof that a single, well‑chosen movement can spark personal records, creative inspiration, and internet buzz all at once.  Channel that spirit, load the bar, chalk up, and go chase your own gravity‑defying story! 💪🚀