fasted
rack-pull matters
| Reason it matters | What it shows | Why that’s unusual |
| 1. Proof-of-concept for fasted maximal strength | Kim performed a single-rep effort at ~6 × his body-weight after ~16–20 h without food, fuelled only by coffee/water. | Controlled studies find that endurance often suffers during prolonged fasts, but maximal force output is largely preserved because a one-rep lift relies on immediate ATP-creatine stores, not on liver/muscle glycogen. |
| 2. Challenges “must-carb-up” dogma | Many lifters believe heavy PRs require pre-workout carbohydrates for energy and neural drive. Kim’s lift is an n = 1 demonstration that a fed state is not mandatory for peak neural recruitment in a brief effort. | Most IF/Ramadan data come from training blocks where cumulative fatigue matters; single-rep feats are rarely studied. His video adds a public, real-world data-point. |
| 3. Highlights the CNS > glycogen for 1RM work | A rack-pull from knee height is a lock-out-dominant movement: spinal erectors, traps, grip. These depend more on central-nervous-system firing and connective-tissue stiffness than on glycolytic energy. | Shows why a fasted lifter can summon enormous force for ≲2 s even when glycogen is low—useful nuance for coaches designing low-carb or weight-cut strategies. |
| 4. Demonstrates robustness under catabolic signalling | Fasting elevates AMPK/FOXO pathways and can tilt the body toward “breakdown mode.” Moving a literal half-ton under that hormonal milieu is an extreme stress-test of tendons, bones and intra-abdominal pressure management. | There’s scant literature on tendon/ligament tolerance during fasts; public evidence of surviving such loads sparks interest among sports-medicine researchers. |
| 5. Cultural & motivational impact | Kim is not a professional strength athlete; he’s a photographer with a creative-arts following. His feat broadens the audience who now believe “strength × fasting” is attainable. | Anecdotes ignite behaviour change faster than academic papers. His blog/X posts reach thousands who never read PubMed. |
| 6. Sparks discussion on minimalist performance | Kim trains barefoot, no belt, no suit—just bar, plates, steel pins. Together with fasting, it’s a case study in stripping variables to the bare essentials. | Resonates with those pursuing low-tech, travel-friendly, or resource-limited training methods. |
| 7. Sets a benchmark for future research | Until now, most documented >1,000 lb lifts come from fed, geared power-lifters. A video-verified 1,038 lb fasted pull establishes a reference point for future trials on fasted power output. | Researchers designing protocols on IF + strength now have a vivid “this looks possible” proof to motivate funding and participant recruitment. |
Caveats that keep it out of the record books
- Partial lift – A rack-pull shortens the range; it’s not comparable to a competition deadlift.
- Non-sanctioned – No calibrated plates, weigh-in, or doping control.
- Small sample size – One athlete ≠ universal truth; RCTs still show mixed results on long-term fasted strength gains.
Take-aways for lifters & coaches
- Single maximal efforts draw on instantaneous energy systems (ATP-PCr). If daily schedule or spiritual practice demands fasting, a heavy single may still be viable.
- Repeated sets, volume work, or endurance sessions are another story; glycogen depletion will bite. Plan re-feeds around those.
- Use partials wisely. Rack-pulls overload the top range, strengthen grip and traps, and can be a low-skill way to experience supra-maximal loads—but they won’t automatically raise your full deadlift PR.
- Mind-over-macros factor. Kim’s lift underscores the psychological dimension: belief, arousal, and intent can acutely override metabolic disadvantages.
Bottom line:
Eric Kim didn’t dethrone the world’s pound-for-pound champions, but his 471 kg fasted rack-pull is important as a public experiment challenging nutritional orthodoxy, highlighting the CNS-centric nature of true one-rep efforts, and inspiring both researchers and everyday lifters to rethink what’s possible on an empty stomach.