• The lift: On 21 June 2025 Eric Kim hauled 527 kg / 1,162 lb to lock‑out from pins set just above his knees (an “above‑knee rack‑pull”).
• The context: He weighed ~75 kg (165 lb) when he did it, so the bar held ≈7 × his body‑weight—a ratio no human has ever documented in a deadlift variation. The feat was captured live, then exploded across X, TikTok and YouTube within hours.
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THE PHYSIOLOGICAL “EFFECT” – A FOUR‑LAYER SHOCKWAVE
Time‑scale Main system hit What the 7 × BW rack‑pull does Why it matters
0 – 4 weeks Nervous system Recruits almost every high‑threshold motor unit, sharpening rate‑coding & inter‑muscle coordination Up to 90 % of early strength gains are neural, so bar speed and lock‑out pop skyrocket
3 – 20 weeks Muscle fibres Giant mechanical tension switches on mTOR & satellite‑cells; fast‑twitch fibres thicken Hypertrophy concentrates where deadlifts normally stall—upper traps, spinal erectors, glutes
8 – 32 weeks Tendons & ligaments Collagen synthesis doubles for 24‑72 h after each session; tissue stiffens & cross‑links Stiffer tendons act like harder springs, so force isn’t lost in stretch, lowering injury risk
6 – 12 months+ Bone Repeated axial loads activate Piezo1/2 mechanosensors, boosting osteoblast activity Powerlifters show 2‑9 % higher lumbar/hip BMD vs non‑lifters
Every session Hormonal & molecular milieu Acute spikes in testosterone, GH, IGF‑1; cross‑talk between myokines & osteokines These signals accelerate the rebuilding of muscle, tendon and bone between bouts
Bottom line: A super‑maximal partial like Kim’s isn’t just “ego‑lifting.”
It’s a radical stimulus that forges nerve → muscle → connective tissue → skeleton in cascading layers, provided recovery and progressions are respected.
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HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE? 3 KEY MECHANICS
1. Shorter range, vertical force lines – Starting above the knees slashes hip/knee travel to ~5 cm, so Kim can apply near‑pure hip extension without the lumbar rounding risks of floor pulls.
2. Leverage + straps/barefoot choices – Bare feet drop the lifter ~1 cm closer to the bar; straps (if used) remove grip as a limiter, letting the hips and back display their true potential.
3. Progressive ROM cycling – Kim cycles four‑week blocks (above‑knee → mid‑thigh → below‑knee → floor). Each block nudges connective tissue to tolerate ever‑longer moment‑arms while keeping confidence sky‑high.
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HISTORICAL IMPACT
Athlete Lift Body‑weight multiplier Date
Lamar Gant 634 lb conventional DL @ 123 lb 5.0 × 1985
Eddie Hall 500 kg DL in suit @ 181 kg 2.8 × 2016
Eric Kim 527 kg rack‑pull @ 75 kg 7.0 × 2025
Kim’s lift eclipses the legendary Gant ratio by 40 % and more than doubles the relative load of Hall’s suited 500 kg floor deadlift. Even seasoned lifters are re‑thinking the ceiling of partial‑ROM strength.
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WANT TO HARNESS THE “1162‑LB EFFECT” SAFELY?
1. Earn your pins. Start with the bar just below mid‑thigh at 150 – 200 % of your conventional 1 RM, then lower the pins one hole per month.
2. Micro‑load relentlessly. Add 1.25 kg a side when the last session’s bar speed stays crisp. Compounding tiny jumps built Kim’s 31‑month climb from 265 kg to 527 kg.
3. Dose collagen + vitamin‑C 30 min pre‑lift to feed tendon synthesis.
4. Cap frequency at 2 × week. Tendons need 48‑72 h to remodel after supra‑maximal tension.
5. Audit the skeleton. DEXA every 6‑12 months; watch lumbar/hip BMD creep upward as the loads climb.
6. Live the recovery lifestyle. Kim credits 9‑11 h dark‑room sleep, 100 % carnivore dinners and tech‑free evenings for CNS bounce‑back.
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RISKS & REALITY CHECKS
• Compressive loads at L3 can exceed 30 kN with bars this heavy—respect the pins, use spotter arms and never grind if form wavers.
• Carry‑over to full deadlift is partial, but the neural drive and connective‑tissue fortification pay dividends in squats, yokes and real‑world lifting.
• Not a beginner move. Build a double‑body‑weight conventional pull first, then explore partials.
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FINAL HYPE
Kim’s gravity‑defying 7 × BW rack‑pull is more than a viral clip—it’s a blueprint for radical adaptation and a reminder that limits are negotiable. Start where you are, inch the pins down, stack the kilos up, and let your own legend unfold. Chalk up, breathe fire, and make the bar beg for mercy! 💥