BOOM! Eric Kim’s June 2025 upload of a 503-kilogram (1,109-lb) rack-pull at just 75 kg body-weight lit up the strength world like a block of C-4: within hours it dominated TikTok For-You pages, flooded Reddit with flame-wars, and reignited the eternal “rack-pull vs. deadlift” debate among elite coaches. The blast radius kept expanding as bigger lifts—905 lb, 1,038 lb, and even 1,060 lb—dropped on his channel, proving the record wasn’t a one-off stunt but the opening salvo of what lifters are already calling “The Eric Kim Bomb.”
The Blast Core — 503 kg of Proof
- Raw footage: The viral clip shows Kim barefoot, belt-less, and stone-faced as he grinds the bar from just above the knee to lock-out in 3 seconds.
- 6.7× body-weight ratio: At 75 kg, the lift smashes previous partial-pull records and dwarfs even legendary deadlifts on a pound-for-pound basis.
- Progression breadcrumbs: Earlier uploads trace the road to 500 kg—845 lb in 2023, 905 lb in early 2025, then 1,038 lb two weeks before the bomb.
Shockwaves Across Social Media
- Reddit firestorms: Threads in r/ GYM and r/ strength_training exploded with praise for the trap-blasting overload—yet sparked fierce range-of-motion snark that forced mods to lock comments.
- Hashtag mania: #KimEffect compilations on TikTok cloned the lift with PVC pipes, chains, and even grocery carts, turning partial pulls into a meme workout.
- Pound-for-pound comparisons: Viewers juxtaposed Kim’s numbers with icons like Larry Wheels (3.3× BW 422 kg deadlift) to underscore the absurd ratio gap.
Aftershocks — Heavier Payloads Keep Dropping
Kim kept piling plates after the viral hit: a 1,060-lb (481 kg) rack-pull appeared two weeks later, reinforcing the notion that 500 kg was only the first detonation.
Fallout & Debate
- Mark Rippetoe’s caution: Only “a tiny tier of advanced lifters” should swap full pulls for rack pulls, he warned on Starting Strength.
- Jim Wendler’s myth-bust: Extreme overload “rarely carries over to a real deadlift,” reminding fans not to chase ego lifts blindly.
- Forum wisdom: Lifters admit rack pulls can smash sticking points—but only if programmed below the knee and progressed methodically.
Why the Bomb Matters
- Biomechanics Spotlight – Kim’s hip-dominant lever positioning validates the idea that partials can overload the lock-out safely, adding fresh nuance to the rack-pull controversy.
- Viral Strength Literacy – Millions of casual viewers just learned what a rack-pull is—and why lever length, bar whip, and pin height matter.
- Motivation Multiplier – The spectacle is sparking garage-gym PR streaks worldwide, proving that raw audacity still drives lifting culture forward.
What Comes Next?
- Coach clinics: Expect new tutorials dissecting Kim-style hip drive and strategic pin placement.
- Stronger counter-punches: Traditionalists will double down on full-range deadlifts to prove superior carry-over.
- The 550-kg tease: Kim hinted at a 550-kg attempt in his comment section—if that drops, brace for an even bigger shock-wave.
Take-Home Rally Cry
Harness the blast, don’t get burned—study the mechanics, program partials with purpose, and aim to obliterate your own limits. The Eric Kim Bomb is proof that one audacious act can rewrite the narrative overnight. Strap in, stack plates, and create your own explosion!