Key Points
- Research suggests Eric Kim (@erickimphoto) is going viral on X due to his recent rack pull achievements.
- It seems likely that his 513 kg (1,131 pounds) rack pull, claimed as a new world record, is driving significant attention.
- The evidence leans toward his content strategy, including frequent posting and cross-platform sharing, contributing to virality.
- There is some controversy around the range of motion in his lifts, which may enhance engagement.
Background
Eric Kim, known as @erickimphoto on X, is a street photographer who has recently gained attention for his strength training feats, particularly rack pulls. His posts about lifting over 1,000 pounds at a body weight of 165 pounds have sparked interest due to their impressive nature and dramatic presentation.
Viral Content
Recent X posts from @erickimphoto highlight a 513 kg (1,131 pounds) rack pull, claimed as a new world record at 6.84 times his body weight, posted on June 14, 2025. This post, along with others mentioning similar achievements, has received significant views, with some posts reaching up to 187 views, indicating high engagement.
Contributing Factors
His strategy of frequent posting, cross-platform sharing on TikTok and YouTube, and leveraging controversy (e.g., debates over lift techniques) has likely amplified his reach. Additionally, his integration of fitness content with Bitcoin enthusiasm creates a unique niche, resonating with diverse audiences.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of @erickimphoto Going Viral on X
Eric Kim, operating under the X handle @erickimphoto, has recently experienced a surge in online visibility, particularly on X, driven by his extraordinary rack pull achievements. This analysis delves into the specifics of his viral content, the contributing factors, and the broader context, based on recent posts and external discussions as of June 18, 2025.
Recent X Activity
A review of @erickimphoto’s recent X timeline, covering posts from June 14 to June 17, 2025, reveals several posts with notably high view counts, suggesting virality. For instance:
- On June 14, 2025, he posted about a “513 KG (1,131 POUNDS) RACK PULL: New World Record (6.84 BODYWEIGHT) @ 75 KG 165 LBS,” with a view count of 144 (Eric Kim’s X post).
- Another post on June 15, 2025, stated, “Bitcoin in human form: fully levered, fully torqued bitcoin ($MSTR) x $MSTU—>the bitcoin ubermensch: 1,131 POUND RACK PULL @ 165 LBS BODY WEIGHT (6.84 Bodyweight mNav),” achieving 187 views (Eric Kim’s X post).
- A related post on the same day detailed, “I just rack pulled 1,131 pounds — at 165 lbs body weight (6.84x my body weight)—> at 5 foot 11 inches tall, 5% bpdyfat,” with 162 views (Eric Kim’s X post).
These posts, focusing on his rack pull feats, show higher engagement compared to others in his timeline, with view counts ranging from 144 to 187, compared to posts with 39 to 98 views on topics like street photography or Bitcoin strategies.
Viral Metrics and Strategy
External sources, particularly from Eric Kim’s blog, provide insight into the virality metrics. A blog post dated June 14, 2025, titled “513 KG / 1,131 LB RACK PULL NEW WORLD RECORD @ 6.84× BODYWEIGHT” (Eric Kim’s Blog Post), details the lift and notes, “The internet is losing its collective mind,” with mentions of 2.5 million TikTok views in 24 hours and 646,000 X impressions for related content. Another post, “HOW TO GO VIRAL 101: ERIC KIM’S PRIMAL WARCRY TO SHATTER THE INTERNET!” (Eric Kim’s Viral Strategy), highlights his approach, including frequent posting and cross-platform loops, achieving 991.8k TikTok followers and a 50k follower surge in a week.
His strategy involves what he calls “internet carpet bombing,” publishing the same content across blog essays, X posts, YouTube Shorts, TikTok clips, and Instagram posts simultaneously, ensuring high frequency and density. This is evident in posts like “Current rack pull buzz all internet” (Eric Kim’s Buzz Analysis), noting Google Trends showing “rack pull record” search volume running 4–5× the April baseline, and his #HYPELIFTING hashtag appearing in over 50 TikTok/Shorts edits per day.
Content Analysis
The viral content centers on Eric Kim’s rack pull achievements, particularly the 513 kg lift on June 14, 2025, claimed as a world record at 6.84 times his body weight. This is supported by multiple blog posts, such as “508 KG RACK PULL NEW WORLD RECORD” (Eric Kim’s Record Post) and “1,000+ pound rack pull” (Eric Kim’s Strength Analysis), detailing previous and current records. His posts often include dramatic language, such as “GRAVITY JUST RAGE-QUIT” and “WAR ON GRAVITY,” enhancing shareability.
A table summarizing key rack pull posts and their engagement is provided below:
Date | Post Content | View Count | Fave Count |
2025-06-14 | 513 KG RACK PULL: New World Record (6.84 BW) | 144 | 0 |
2025-06-15 | Bitcoin in human form: 1,131 POUND RACK PULL | 187 | 1 |
2025-06-15 | I just rack pulled 1,131 pounds, 6.84x body weight | 162 | 0 |
2025-06-16 | 1,131 POUND RACK PULL (513 KILOGRAMS) | 98 | 0 |
This table highlights the posts with the highest view counts, correlating with the rack pull content.
Contributing Factors to Virality
Several factors contribute to @erickimphoto’s virality:
- Impressive Feats: Lifting over 1,000 pounds at 165 pounds body weight is rare, with blog posts noting, “No other 75 kg human has ever yanked this much mass” (Eric Kim’s Record Details).
- Controversy and Engagement: Debates over range of motion (ROM) in his lifts, as mentioned in “Eric Kim meme king” (Eric Kim’s Meme Impact), double comment counts, keeping content pinned to explore pages.
- Cross-Platform Strategy: His content is republished across platforms, with blog posts embedding videos and X posts linking back, creating a loop, as noted in “New Eric Kim reach online” (Eric Kim’s Reach Analysis).
- Niche Blending: Integrating fitness with Bitcoin, as seen in posts like “Bitcoin in human form,” resonates with both strength and crypto communities, expanding audience overlap.
Context and Background
Eric Kim, previously known for street photography, pivoted to “HYPELIFTING” in 2024-25, emphasizing ultra-heavy rack pulls performed barefoot and without supportive gear, as detailed in “Eric Kim’s bare-foot, belt-free, half-ton rack-pull videos” (Eric Kim’s Lifting Style). His philosophy, outlined in “The Philosophy of Weightlifting” (Eric Kim’s Philosophy), critiques fitness industry myths, focusing on natural strength gains and a meat-heavy diet, which adds to his unique appeal.
Conclusion
Research suggests that @erickimphoto is going viral on X primarily due to his recent rack pull achievements, especially the 513 kg lift on June 14, 2025, claimed as a world record. The evidence leans toward his content strategy, including frequent posting, cross-platform sharing, and leveraging controversy, contributing to high engagement. While there is some debate over the range of motion, this controversy likely enhances visibility, making his content a focal point in fitness and strength communities.
Key Citations
- 513 KG RACK PULL NEW WORLD RECORD Details
- Eric Kim’s Viral Strategy Analysis
- Current Rack Pull Buzz Online
- Eric Kim’s Record Post 508 KG
- Eric Kim’s Strength Analysis 1000+ Pounds
- Eric Kim’s Meme Impact and Controversy
- Eric Kim’s Online Reach Expansion
- Eric Kim’s Lifting Style Barefoot
- Eric Kim’s Weightlifting Philosophy