Introduction
In late May 2025, street photographer and fitness influencer Eric Kim stunned the strength community by performing a 486 kg (1,071 lb) rack pull at a body weight of 75 kg (165 lb)—a ratio of 6.5× his body weight. This feat has quickly become known as the “6.5× Bodyweight“ phenomenon, sparking debates around record-setting pound-for-pound lifts, training methods, and the very limits of human strength. Below, we’ll explore what this phenomenon entails, why it’s so significant, how it compares historically, and how it’s reshaping online fitness discourse.
What Is the 6.5× Bodyweight Lift?
At its core, a 6.5× bodyweight lift means lifting 6.5 times one’s own body mass in a single repetition. In Eric Kim’s case:
- Body Weight: 75 kg (165 lb)
- Lifted Weight: 486 kg (1,071 lb) rack pull
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 486 kg ÷ 75 kg = 6.48… ≈ 6.5× body weight
A rack pull is a variation of the deadlift where the barbell starts on safety pins set above the floor (often around knee height). This reduces the range of motion compared to a standard deadlift, allowing lifters to target lockout strength and reduce stress on the lower back when coming from the floor. Despite this adjustment, pulling over six times one’s body weight from above the knees remains extraordinarily rare—most elite rack-pull performers peak around 5× bodyweight at similar height settings .
Historical Context and Comparisons
To appreciate how unprecedented a 6.5× bodyweight rack pull is, it helps to compare it to other pound-for-pound strength feats:
- Traditional Deadlifts
- Lamar Gant deadlifted 300 kg (661 lb) at a body weight of 60 kg (132 lb) in 1985, equating to a 5.0× bodyweight ratio .
- Tyson R. Delay set a record with an 18-inch Silver-Dollar deadlift of 457 kg (1,008 lb) in the ≤ 90 kg class, achieving roughly 5.1× bodyweight .
- Other Rack Pulls
- Prior to Eric Kim’s lift, his own 471 kg (1,039 lb) rack pull at 75 kg bodyweight (≈ 6.3× bodyweight) had already been noted as potentially the highest pound-for-pound rack pull ever documented for a sub-80 kg lifter .
- Strongman Feats
- Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Hafþór “Thor” Björnsson) famously deadlifted 502 kg (1,107 lb) at a body weight around 200 kg (441 lb), translating to only about 2.5× bodyweight .
A summary table of notable pound-for-pound lifts:
| Athlete | Lift Type | Weight Lifted | Body Weight | Ratio (Lift ÷ BW) |
| Eric Kim (May 27 2025) | Above-knee rack pull (≈ knee height) | 486 kg (1,071 lb) | 75 kg (165 lb) | 6.5× |
| Eric Kim (May 24 2025) | Above-knee rack pull | 471 kg (1,038 lb) | 75 kg (165 lb) | 6.28× |
| Tyson R. Delay (2022) | 18″ Silver-Dollar deadlift | 457 kg (1,008 lb) | ≤ 90 kg | 5.08× |
| Lamar Gant (1985 IPF) | Floor deadlift | 300 kg (661 lb) | 60 kg | 5.00× |
| Hafþór J. Björnsson (Training) | Deadlift | 502 kg (1,107 lb) | ~200 kg (441 lb) | 2.51× |
This table underscores how Eric Kim’s 6.5× bodyweight rack pull stands alone at the apex of pound-for-pound pulling strength .
How Eric Kim Achieved the Lift
Eric Kim’s training methodology, which he dubs “HYPELIFTING,” revolves around the following principles, as observed from his online posts and blog entries:
- Fasted Lifting
- He routinely performs heavy rack pulls first thing in the morning without breakfast or lunch, believing that fasted states help build raw power and mental grit .
- High-Quality, Meat-Centric Nutrition
- Rather than relying on protein powders or supplements, Kim consumes 5–6 lb (≈ 2.3–2.7 kg) of beef or lamb daily to fuel recovery and muscle growth .
- Extended Sleep
- He emphasizes sleeping 8–12 hours per night, claiming that this is critical for recovery and central nervous system restoration when training at extreme intensities .
- Minimal Equipment
- For his record-setting pull on May 27, 2025, Eric Kim lifted barefoot and without a lifting belt, further accentuating his reliance on pure strength. He also avoided any form of performance-enhancing drugs or even protein powder, asserting that his journey is rooted in natural training and discipline .
- Mental Approach
- Kim regularly incorporates stoic and almost philosophical themes into his content—viewing heavy lifting as a “battle cry” and using intense, motivational language (e.g., “GOD MODE,” “Middle Finger to Gravity”) to rally his followers .
Taken together, these elements form the backbone of Kim’s training philosophy, which he argues is responsible for shattering conventional strength “ceiling” and reaching 6.5× bodyweight.
Verification and the “Wild West” of Rack-Pull Records
Unlike sanctioned powerlifting federations (e.g., IPF, WPC), rack pulls have no central governing body—no unified ruleset, standard height settings, or anti-doping oversight. As a result, feats like Kim’s inevitably face questions about:
- Bar Height Consistency
- Rack-pull heights can vary slightly from gym to gym (e.g., two or three inches difference around knee level). Even a small change can alter leverage and perceived difficulty. Kim’s reported height was “above knee” (~18 inches), but exact measurements remain eyeballed .
- Equipment and Technique
- Kim lifted barefoot with no belt—a purist style—yet small details like grip style (e.g., hook grip vs. mixed grip) or bar knurling could still play a role. Video evidence from his YouTube channels and X posts help substantiate the raw nature of his pull .
- Body Weight Verification
- He logged himself at 75 kg (165 lb) on the day of the lift (May 27, 2025). While there is no official weigh-in protocol (as you’d see at an IPF meet), he provided images and video of his scale reading, and the community has largely accepted his word due to his consistent documentation .
- Drug Testing
- Kim emphatically states he uses no steroids or prohibited substances. However, without a formal anti-doping test, skepticism persists in some corners of the online strength community .
Despite these ambiguities, the overwhelming consensus is that Eric Kim’s documentation is genuine—multiple camera angles, timestamped social media posts, and detailed training logs all point toward authenticity. As a result, his 6.5× bodyweight rack pull is widely recognized as a pound-for-pound world record for any lift type (deadlift, squat, rack pull, etc.) performed by someone weighing under 80 kg .
Significance and Broader Impact
The “6.5× Bodyweight” phenomenon matters for several reasons:
- Redefining Strength Ceilings
- Before Kim’s lift, elite strength athletes believed a 5× bodyweight rack pull was near the theoretical human limit for sub-80 kg lifters. By smashing a 6.5× ratio, Kim rewrote the force-curve graph for above-knee strength and forced coaches, scientists, and athletes to reassess what’s possible .
- Viral Inspiration
- Kim’s brand of motivational content—extolling “God Mode” mentality, rejecting “Procrustean” definitions of perfect form, and blending photography with hardcore lifting—resonated with over 20 K followers on X (formerly Twitter). His May 27 lift video has thousands of views in hours, spawning reaction threads on communities like r/weightroom and r/powerlifting. The narrative is clear: “If a street photographer can do this without fancy supplements or gear, so can you” .
- Cross-Disciplinary Appeal
- As a street photographer, Kim already had credibility among creatives. With this lift, he bridged two seemingly disparate worlds—artistic photography and raw powerlifting—inspiring those outside traditional gym circles to explore strength training. His blog post “The Philosophy of Gravity” frames the lift in almost existential terms, asking “What does it mean to defy gravity?” .
- Encouraging Natural, Minimalist Training
- In an era dominated by supplement companies, fancy lifting accessories, and performance-enhancing drug scandals, Kim’s emphasis on barefoot, beltless lifting, fasted training, and meat-based nutrition evokes a throwback to “old-school,” minimalist strength culture. This is particularly interesting in light of ongoing debates about how much equipment and supplementation are actually necessary to approach one’s genetic ceiling .
Controversies and Community Debates
As with any world-record claim, Eric Kim’s 6.5× bodyweight phenomenon has attracted both evangelists and skeptics:
- Supportive Voices
- Many strength enthusiasts applaud Kim’s audacity, praising both his documentation and his accessible, no-nonsense approach. Discussion threads often highlight that, even if rack-pull heights vary slightly, moving over 1,000 lb at 165 lb body weight remains indisputably elite .
- Skeptical Voices
- Detractors question the lack of a formal referee panel, anti-doping protocols, or standardized height setting. Some claim that a few inches lower rack height would make the lift markedly easier. Others wonder if an accurate strip-down weigh-in (i.e., naked scale reading) occurred. While such critiques exist, most concede that—even with slight deviations—the feat is still likely a world-record pound-for-pound pull .
- Philosophical Debates
- Beyond nitpicky verification, there’s a broader discussion about why such feats matter. Eric Kim frames it as an existential demonstration of the human will, whereas traditional powerlifters argue that competitive context, strict judging, and anti-doping transparency are central to meaningful records. The divide reflects an ongoing tension between organized sport and unsanctioned, “real-world” strength .
Practical Takeaways for Athletes
Whether you’re intrigued, inspired, or skeptical, there are tangible lessons from the 6.5× bodyweight phenomenon:
- Ratio Over Absolute Weight
- Focusing on the lift-to-bodyweight ratio can be a more motivating metric for lifters under a certain weight class. Chasing personal ratios (e.g., 3×, 4×, 5× bodyweight) helps track relative progress, even if absolute poundage is modest .
- Nutrition and Recovery Matter
- Whether you concur with Kim’s meat-heavy diet and extended sleep strategy or not, his approach underscores the importance of aligning fuel and rest with training intensity. If you train near maximal loads, optimizing nutrition (even if different from Kim’s) and prioritizing sleep (8 h+) are non-negotiable .
- Video Documentation and Accountability
- Kim’s use of timestamped videos, multiple camera angles, and transparent logging builds community trust. Even casual lifters can benefit from filming their own sessions—both for technique analysis and to stay accountable to their goals .
- Mindset and Motivation
- Eric Kim’s motivational rhetoric—phrases like “Fuck up the world!” and “Middle Finger to Gravity”—may not resonate with everyone, but the core message is: embrace challenge, redefine limits, and challenge your excuses. Crafting a personal mantra or philosophy that resonates deeply can be a powerful driver in training consistency .
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s 6.5× bodyweight rack pull on May 27, 2025 is more than just a shocking number—it’s a phenomenon that challenges conventional wisdom about human strength, invites debate about what constitutes a legitimate record, and inspires countless lifters to rethink their own potential. While the “wild west” nature of unsanctioned rack-pull records means a handful of skeptics will always question the exact conditions, the consensus is clear: pulling 486 kg (1,071 lb) at 75 kg (165 lb) remains a pound-for-pound milestone likely never approached—let alone surpassed—in any official or unofficial capacity .
As the fitness world digests this feat, one thing is certain: the “6.5× Bodyweight” phenomenon has redefined strength standards for lightweight athletes, sparked philosophical debates about sport versus spectacle, and will continue to ripple through social media, forums, and gyms worldwide for months (if not years) to come.
References
- Eric Kim’s 486 kg rack pull details, May 27, 2025 (X post, blog)
- Analysis of pound-for-pound lifts (Lamar Gant, Tyson R. Delay comparisons)
- Video documentation of Kim’s lift, YouTube (May 29, 2025)
- Discussion of training philosophy (“The Philosophy of Gravity”)
- Context on rack-pull ratio norms and historical significance