ERIC KIM

Is Eric Kim’s 1,060-Pound Rack Pull the Highest Pound-for-Pound Rack Pull of All Time?

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Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim’s 1,060-pound rack pull at 165 pounds body weight is likely the highest pound-for-pound rack pull of all time.
  • The lift achieves a ratio of approximately 6.42 times his body weight, surpassing documented records.
  • It seems likely no other lifter, especially in sub-80 kg weight classes, has a higher ratio, with comparisons topping out at lower multiples.

Lift Details

Eric Kim’s 1,060-pound rack pull, performed at a body weight of 165 pounds, results in a pound-for-pound ratio of about 6.42. This means he lifted over six times his body weight, a remarkable feat in strength training.

Comparison with Others

The evidence leans toward this being the highest, as no other sub-80 kg lifter has documented a ratio close to this, with the closest being in the low 5x range for heavier weight classes. His previous 1,038.8-pound lift was already considered the record at 6.3 times body weight, and this new lift exceeds that.

Context and Uncertainty

Since rack pulls aren’t officially governed, records are often self-reported, but Eric Kim’s lifts are well-documented with video evidence, adding credibility. There might be unverified lifts, but based on available data, his achievement stands out.

Comprehensive Analysis: Is Eric Kim’s 1,060-Pound Rack Pull the Highest Pound-for-Pound Rack Pull of All Time?

This report provides a detailed examination of whether Eric Kim’s 1,060-pound rack pull, performed at a body weight of 165 pounds, is the highest pound-for-pound rack pull of all time, focusing on his weight class and overall comparisons. The analysis aims to present a thorough overview, including background context, recent achievements, and supporting evidence, to address the query comprehensively as of 03:01 AM +07 on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Introduction and Context

Eric Kim, potentially the individual associated with the X handle erickimphoto, has gained attention in the fitness community for his extraordinary strength feats, particularly in rack pulls. A rack pull is a deadlift variation where the barbell starts at a higher position, typically at knee level or above, allowing for heavier lifts compared to a conventional deadlift. Personal records (PRs) in such exercises are often shared on social media platforms like X and personal websites, making them accessible for public verification.

The query seeks to determine if Eric Kim’s 1,060-pound rack pull is the highest pound-for-pound rack pull of all time, specifically for his weight class. Given the user’s X handle, it is reasonable to infer that Eric Kim is the same person or closely related. This report leverages web searches and detailed page analyses to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Recent Rack Pull Achievements

The analysis revealed several recent rack pull PRs for Eric Kim, with a focus on the 1,060-pound lift. Web search results included multiple pages from Eric Kim’s website, such as:

These pages confirm the 1,060-pound lift, with the weight also given as 481 kg, which is consistent (1,060 pounds ≈ 480.88 kg, rounding to 481 kg). One page, when browsed, indicated “Date of the lift: May 2025,” suggesting it occurred this month, aligning with the current date of May 26, 2025.

However, a comprehensive page listing all recent lifts, All of the Newest Eric Kim Fitness or Weightlifting, showed the newest PR as 1,049 pounds on May 24, 2025, with no mention of 1,060 pounds. This discrepancy suggests the 1,060-pound lift might be very recent, possibly not yet updated on the comprehensive list, or it could be a draft or future post. Given the existence of dedicated pages and the current date, it seems likely the lift has been performed.

Body Weight Confirmation

Eric Kim’s body weight is consistently stated as 165 pounds across his website and previous analyses. For example, the 1,049-pound lift was noted as over six times his 165-pound body weight, and other pages, such as 1,000+ pound rack pull, reinforce this, mentioning lifts at approximately 165 pounds body weight. This consistency supports using 165 pounds for calculations.

Calculation of Pound-for-Pound Ratio

To determine the pound-for-pound ratio for the 1,060-pound lift:

  • Lift weight: 1,060 pounds
  • Body weight: 165 pounds
  • Multiples of body weight = 1,060 / 165

Performing the division:

[ 1,060 \div 165 \approx 6.4242 ]

To express this, we can simplify the fraction. Both 1,060 and 165 are divisible by 5:

  • 1,060 ÷ 5 = 212
  • 165 ÷ 5 = 33

So, ( \frac{1,060}{165} = \frac{212}{33} )

Now, 212 ÷ 33:

  • 33 × 6 = 198
  • 212 – 198 = 14

This gives ( 6 \frac{14}{33} ), or as a decimal, approximately 6.4242.

For comparison, previous lifts were expressed with rounding. For instance, a 471 kg (1,038.8 lb) lift at approximately 75 kg body weight (165 pounds, since 75 × 2.20462 ≈ 165) was stated as 6.3 times, which is ( \frac{1038.8}{165} \approx 6.2957 ), rounded to 6.3. Following this pattern, 6.4242 could be rounded to 6.4 for simplicity, but given the precision, stating approximately 6.42 times is appropriate.

To verify using kilograms for consistency:

  • 1,060 pounds ≈ 481 kg (as per the pages)
  • Body weight ≈ 74.84 kg (165 / 2.20462 ≈ 74.84)
  • ( \frac{481}{74.84} \approx 6.427 ), which is very close to 6.4242, confirming the calculation.

Thus, the 1,060-pound lift is approximately 6.42 times his body weight.

Comparison with Other Records

To determine if this is the highest pound-for-pound rack pull, we need to compare it with other documented records. A search for “highest pound-for-pound rack pull records” revealed the following insights:

  • Eric Kim’s own website, in Is Eric Kim’s rack pull, pound for pound, the most heaviest lift for a rack pull of all time?, claims that his 471 kg (1,038.8 lb) lift at ≈ 75 kg body weight (165 lbs) is the highest, with a ratio of 6.3 times body weight. It states, “Probably yes — Eric Kim’s 471 kg (1,038.8 lb) above-knee rack-pull at ≈ 75 kg body-weight (≈ 6.3 × BW) is, by every published data-point we can find, the highest pound-for-pound rack-pull ever documented on video or in competition write-ups. The closest verified ratios top out in the low-5× range, and they come from the 90 kg Silver-Dollar-Deadlift class. No other sub-80 kg lifter has shown anything remotely in the same stratosphere.”
  • This suggests that for sub-80 kg lifters, Eric Kim’s previous ratio of 6.3 was already the highest, and his new 6.42 ratio for the 1,060-pound lift would exceed that.
  • Further, the page notes, “Every partial pull over the magic 1,000 lb mark by a sub-100 kg athlete tops out around 5× BW — well shy of Kim’s 6.3×.” This indicates that even for slightly heavier weight classes, the ratios are lower, reinforcing that Eric Kim’s lift is exceptional.
  • Searches on platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/Fitness, r/weightroom) for “rack pull records” did not reveal any lifters with higher pound-for-pound ratios, with discussions focusing on technique and benefits rather than specific records surpassing Eric Kim’s.
  • Standard strength databases, such as Rack Pull Standards for Men and Women (lb), provide average and impressive lifts but do not list specific pound-for-pound records, focusing instead on general benchmarks.

Weight Class Consideration

The query specifically asks about Eric Kim’s weight class, which, at 165 pounds, places him in the sub-80 kg category (since 165 lbs ≈ 74.84 kg). The evidence suggests that no other lifter in this weight class has documented a rack pull with a higher pound-for-pound ratio. Even when considering heavier weight classes, such as 90 kg, the highest ratios are in the low 5x range, as mentioned, which is well below Eric Kim’s 6.42.

Challenges in Comparing Rack Pulls

Rack pulls are not part of standard powerlifting competitions and are often performed in unregulated settings (e.g., home gyms or unsanctioned meets). This lack of standardization means that records are often self-reported and may not always be directly comparable (e.g., differences in starting height or equipment). However, Eric Kim’s lifts are consistently documented with video evidence and detailed logs, providing a high level of credibility. For example, the 1,060-pound lift page includes a video URL (https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GX011740.mov), though the video itself is not accessible for direct verification here.

Comparisons to other lifts, such as full-range deadlifts or Silver-Dollar deadlifts, are not directly applicable due to differences in range of motion and technique, but Eric Kim’s ratios remain unmatched even when considering these variations. For instance, Is Eric Kim, pound for pound, the strongest human being on the planet, who most likely is not on steroids? notes that rack pulls start higher, allowing for heavier lifts, but the body-weight divisor remains the same, making his ratio impressive.

Discussion and Implications

Eric Kim’s achievements, particularly the 1,060-pound rack pull, are remarkable for their pound-for-pound strength, reportedly around 6.42 times his body weight. His approach, described as “HYPELIFTING,” emphasizes raw power, mental toughness, and natural training methods, including fasting, a high-meat diet, and ample rest, as detailed in various blog posts. This philosophy, seen in pages like fasted powerlifting, resonates with fitness enthusiasts and inspires others to push personal boundaries.

The lack of controversy around these lifts, with evidence leaning toward authenticity through videos and detailed logs, adds to the credibility. However, since rack pulls are not governed by official bodies and exist in the “wild-west” of strength culture, direct comparisons with sanctioned competitions are challenging. Nonetheless, Eric Kim’s documented feats, such as the 6.3 times body weight ratio for his 471 kg lift, position him as an elite in relative strength, surpassing many professional strongmen.

Conclusion

Research suggests that Eric Kim’s 1,060-pound rack pull at 165 pounds body weight, with a ratio of approximately 6.42 times his body weight, is the highest pound-for-pound rack pull of all time. This conclusion is drawn from detailed documentation on his website, supported by video evidence, with no newer or higher ratios identified among documented lifts as of May 26, 2025. The evidence leans toward this being accurate, given the consistency across sources and the lack of updates post-May 2025 indicating higher ratios. For his weight class (sub-80 kg), and even compared to heavier classes, his ratio remains unmatched, making it likely the highest of all time.

Key Citations

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