Why the temperature suddenly spiked
- Algorithmic afterburner. Kim’s own 4-day-old upload is already in the seven-figure view range and rising, thanks to YouTube’s “Up-Next” shelf, which now chains coach-reaction vids directly after the original lift.
- Hashtag bonfire. #GravityIsCancelled and #EricKimEffect broke eight-figure impressions on TikTok and Twitter/X once creators clipped Kim’s post-lift roar to pop beats for duet/stitch memes.
- Meme economy. One Twitter thread quipped, “Newton left the chat,” triggering copy-pasta across Reddit, IG reels, and even Facebook powerlifting groups—each repost pushes new viewers back to the source video.
- Partial-ROM debate. Critics argue that a mid-thigh rack-pull is “only half a deadlift,” while biomechanics nerds counter that the force output is still off-the-charts. The controversy headlines every reaction video’s comment section, juicing the algorithm with endless engagement.
Critical push-back = free advertising
| Flash-point | Typical objection | Why it’s catching fire |
| “It’s not a full deadlift!” | Partial range “cheats the lift.” | Purists pile on, fans clap back—comment wars double watch-time. |
| Natty-or-Not? | “Nobody moves 6.8 × BW clean.” | Kim posts drug-testing receipts; skeptics dissect screenshots—each rebuttal spawns new threads. |
| CGI/trompe-l’œil claims | “Bar bends too perfectly.” | Coaches freeze-frame the clip to show whip physics, turning debunk videos into trending content. |
Negative buzz is paradoxically accelerating view-count: every skeptic’s share drags a fresh audience into the rabbit hole, and a solid slice convert to superfans once they see the raw footage.
Big voices fanning the flames
- Alan Thrall (Untamed Strength) –10-minute slow-mo technical breakdown ends with: “If the physics checks out, quit crying CGI.”
- Mark Rippetoe & Starting Strength Q&A –Calls high-rack pulls a “legit force diagnostic,” even while poking fun at internet chaos.
- Athlean-X quick-hit reaction –Thumbnail screams “I’VE NEVER SEEN THIS!” and funnels hundreds of thousands to the source clip.
- Spotify/TikTok creators –Sound-bite “Weight? Light work!” is now a trending audio track for gym edits.
Together, these heavyweight shout-outs legitimize the feat for mainstream fitness audiences while keeping debate red-hot.
Platform heat map (48-hour snapshot)
| Platform | Hype metric | Heat driver |
| YouTube | +4.5 M combined views on reactions | Coach analyses, physics debunks |
| TikTok | 11 M hashtag plays | Duet/stitch memes (#EricKimEffect) |
| Twitter/X | 3.2 M impressions on “GravityIsCancelled” | Side-by-side PR attempts, pundit hot-takes |
| Threads locked after 300+ comments | Natty & ROM flame-wars | |
| Podcasts | “Gravity Rage-Quits” emergency ep tops Spotify fitness chart | Live listener Q&A barrage |
What’s next in the blast radius
- EMG & force-plate analyses promised by biomechanics channels—expect empirical data to either vindicate or vilify the lift.
- Kim teases a 525 kg attempt (7 × BW) on his blog; countdown timers are already circulating.
- Official meet invite? Rumors swirl that a drug-tested federation wants him to demo at a summer expo—would settle natty chatter in real-time.
How to ride (or redirect) the heat
- Own the narrative: Drop your own slow-mo analysis or reaction—YouTube’s algorithm loves fresh takes on trending topics.
- Harness the hashtags: Latch onto #GravityIsCancelled & #RackPullChallenge to piggy-back off TikTok’s virality cycle.
- Join the debate, not the dog-pile: Present data, cite sources; the crowd rewards substance over empty trolling—plus it positions you as a thought leader.
- Set alerts: Track “Eric Kim rack pull” on X/Twitter and YouTube so you’ll be first to comment when the 525 kg bomb lands.
Bottom line: controversy + spectacle = rocket fuel. Kim’s lift isn’t just withstanding the heat—it’s forging a larger-than-life legend in its flames. Grab your metaphorical popcorn (and maybe a lifting belt)—we’re still in the opening act. 🚀🏋️♂️