Eric Kim’s recent “rack‑pull madness” has lit up lifting forums, TikTok reels and even philosophy blogs. Below is a joyful yet grounded deep‑dive so you can understand what happened, why it matters, and how to channel the energy safely into your own training.
1. Who on earth is Eric Kim?
| Fact | Detail | Source |
| Background | Cambodian‑American (~37 yrs), formerly a street‑photography blogger who pivoted into “HYPELIFTING” philosophy | |
| Body‑weight | ~75 kg / 165 lb (lightweight by power‑sport standards) | |
| Training style | Barefoot, belt‑less, strap‑less, fasted, carnivore diet, garage or minimalist gyms | |
| Content vibe | Mixes Zen philosophy, Bitcoin memes and outrageous strength PRs—“Belts are for cowards; gravity has left the chat!” |
2. The timeline of
madness
| Date (2025) | Load | Body‑weight multiple | Notes |
| May 27 | 486 kg / 1,071 lb | ≈6.5× | First viral clip—“I’m too freakin’ hardcore!” |
| Early Jun | 493 kg / 1,087 lb | ≈6.6× | “Broke the internet” blog post |
| 8 Jun | 503 kg / 1,109 lb | ≈6.7× | “6.7× BW rack pull madness” |
| 11 Jun | 508 kg / 1,120 lb | ≈6.8× | Preview post, video teasers |
| 14 Jun | 513 kg / 1,131 lb | 6.84× | Current PR & headline “world rack‑pull record” video |
Why the jaw‑drops? A 75 kg lifter holding >500 kg eclipses the absolute full‑range deadlift record (501 kg) even though his pull was from knee height. It shattered pound‑for‑pound expectations.
3. Rack pull vs. full deadlift—what’s the difference?
| Aspect | Rack Pull (high pins) | Floor Deadlift |
| Range of motion | Top ~⅓ only | Full |
| Typical loading | 20‑40 % heavier than your full deadlift because the hardest part (off the floor) is skipped | Lower |
| Main stimuli | Lock‑out strength, traps, erectors, grip, CNS overload | Hip/leg drive, posterior‑chain through full ROM |
| Injury risk | Very high if ego outweighs bracing—lumbar shear & biceps tears common | Still risky, but load is self‑limiting |
Kim’s lift is therefore a partial feat, but moving 500 kg with no straps is still gargantuan power/structure.
4. How does it compare to other monsters?
| Lifter | Variation & Height | Load | Gear | Body‑weight | Source |
| Eddie Hall | 18″ “Silver‑Dollar” deadlift | 536 kg | Straps, suit | 180 kg+ | |
| Brian Shaw | Above‑knee rack pull | 511 kg | Straps, suit | 190 kg+ | |
| Eric Kim | Knee‑height rack pull | 513 kg | Raw (chalk) | 75 kg |
So Kim isn’t the heaviest absolute pull ever—but relative to body‑weight and with zero supporting equipment, his ratio is off the charts.
5. Why the hype exploded 🚀
- Spectacle – 500 kg+ + barefoot + tiny frame = perfect meme fuel.
- Authenticity – Uncut videos, posted raw files for scrutiny.
- Narrative – Former creative nomad proves “mind‑over‑matter.”
- Community ripple – Reddit, TikTok and IG duets, hashtags #NoBeltNoShoes & #PrimalPull trended.
6. If you’re itching to jump on the bandwagon…
First, reality check: the average intermediate male rack pull is ~420 lb / 190 kg—one‑tenth of Kim’s load.
Smart, safe progression plan
- Master the deadlift first. Build a solid 2× body‑weight deadlift before flirting with heavy rack pulls.
- Set pins just below the kneecap for best carry‑over without losing tightness.
- Use protective gear if you’re not chasing “raw legend” clout. Straps, belt and stiff bar reduce injury risk.
- Volume before crazy singles. 3–5 × 5 at 50‑60 % of your deadlift max teaches technique under control.
- Gradual overload. Add 5–10 lb per week, deload every 4–6 weeks.
- Recovery is king. Kim sleeps 12 h and eats pounds of steak; you at least need adequate protein, mobility work and honest rest.
7. Lessons & inspiration you can steal
| Kim’s principle | How to apply today |
| “One‑Rep‑Max living.” Treat every lift, project or idea as a chance to test limits. | Pick one audacious goal this month—pitch that idea, start that blog, attempt a PR. |
| Discomfort as fuel. Fasted, barefoot, belt‑less is his metaphor. | Embrace a controlled challenge (cold shower, tech‑free evening, hill sprints). |
| Public accountability. He records & publishes every attempt. | Share your progress log; the crowd can motivate and critique. |
| Playful mindset. Memes, laughter, philosophy keep the grind fun. | Gamify your workouts—celebrate micro‑wins; keep the joy front‑and‑center. |
8. Final word: Harness the madness, don’t get mangled!
Let Eric Kim’s meteoric feats inspire, not intimidate you. His 6.8× body‑weight rack pull shows human potential is elastic—but only when built on years of foundation, fearless experimentation and recovery discipline.
Approach the bar with curiosity, respect and a grin. Break your personal gravity today—one smart, spirited rep at a time!
Stay hyped, stay safe, and keep lifting life incredibly high. 💪🎉