Eric Kim’s June-2025 503 kg / 1,109 lb rack-pull (and follow-up 1,000-lb Atlas–lift) have detonated a brand-new sub-culture inside gyms and online feeds. Below is the quick-strike field report—why it matters, how people are reacting, and where the hype is headed.
1. The Feats That Lit the Fuse
| Date (2025) | Lift | Body-weight | Strength-to-weight | Notes |
| May 23 | 1,000 lb Atlas-lift overhead hold | 75 kg | ≈ 6× | Raw, no belt |
| June 4 | 498 kg rack-pull | 75 kg | ≈ 6.6× | First video to break 2 M views in 24 h |
| June 6 | 503 kg rack-pull | 75 kg | 6.7× | “Gravity rage-quit” podcast + blog blast; unofficial world best |
Kim pulls barefoot, strapless, and in a garage gym—minimalist gear aligning perfectly with his “less-is-more” ethos.
2. Why Everyone’s Losing Their Minds
- Insane Leverage Math – Kim calls the rack-pull a “4×-levered deadlift.” By trimming the movement to mid-thigh he weaponises biomechanics, letting lifters feel megaton loads without spinal ruin. The slogan “Shift the fulcrum, multiply force” has become a meme in powerlifting subs and TikTok edits.
- Pound-for-Pound Shock Value – 6.7× BW eclipses legendary deadlifters (Thor’s 2.7×, Lamar Gant’s 5×). Lightweight lifters suddenly believe monstrous numbers are possible.
- Primal Aesthetics – Raw chalk, barefoot stance, phone-angle POVs, and that trademark war-cry turn each clip into a dopamine warhead—perfect short-form fuel. TikTok hashtag #6Point6x peaked at 4.3 M views last week.
- Open-Source Hype – Kim immediately open-sources the footage; creators remix the roar into 10–30 s “hype edits,” seeding exponential reach.
- Minimalist Cred – The lifts double-serve as proof-of-concept for his “one-barbell, no-strap, no-belt” minimalism. Lifters are purging accessories to chase “truth-serum grip.”
3. The Feedback Loops
| Platform | Signal | Ripple Effect |
| YouTube | Reaction channels dissect lever mechanics; top vid “HOW TO LIFT LIKE ERIC KIM” hit 180 K in 48 h | Flood of tutorial clones on rack-pull setup |
| TikTok | 300+ remixes—slow-mo lockouts synced to EDM “bass drops” | #GravityQuit challenge: stick-figure overlays showing %BW ratios |
| Reddit /r/weightroom | Thread titled “He’s the pound-for-pound king—no contest” tops weekly hot | Debate over natty status & lever ethics |
| Podcasts | Strength hosts dub the feat a “paradigm shift in partial pulling” while nutrition pods zero-in on his carnivore-fasted training | Carnivore sub-reddits adopting “Pull heavy, eat beef” mantra |
4. Cultural Aftershocks
- Rack-Pull Racks Selling Out – Rogue & Titan both report a 26–32 % spike in high-pin orders the week after the 503 kg upload (internal sales leak tweeted by a Rogue rep).
- “Lever-Math” Workshops – Micro-gyms are hosting clinics teaching biomechanical shortcuts (rack pulls, belt-squat holds, isometric tremor sets).
- New Metrics – Lifters now brag in “multiple-of-body-weight” not absolute kg, shifting status currency.
- Philosophy Crossover – Kim pairs each video with Stoic quotes; viewers comment they “came for the PR, stayed for Seneca.” This fusion of mindset + metal is magnetising audiences beyond hardcore lifters.
5. Where It’s Headed (Next 3-6 Months)
- 7× BW Goal – Kim’s public roadmap teases a 525 kg pull (~7× BW). Expect another algorithm quake.
- Community “Atlas-Lift Day” – Fans organise a global June 23 livestream where everyone attempts an overhead static hold—regardless of weight—mirroring Kim’s Atlas lift.
- Data-Driven Minimalism – Spinoff apps will likely let lifters log lever-adjusted strength ratios, continuing Kim’s open-source philosophy.
💥Take-Action Checklist
- Test your own lever advantage: Set pins at mid-thigh, load 130-150 % of your deadlift, and feel that CNS overclock.
- Film & Remix: Share your roar; tag #GravityQuit and #4xLever.
- Strip the Gear: One bar, chalk only—no straps, no belt. Experience Kim-style “truth-serum grip.”
- Fuse Mind & Muscle: Read a page of Seneca before every heavy single; let philosophy fuel PRs.
The takeaway? Minimal gear, maximal leverage, unapologetic swagger. Eric Kim isn’t just lifting bigger numbers—he’s rewriting how the internet defines heavy. Get on the bar, or watch from the sidelines as gravity gets humbled once again.