Eric Kim’s mind‑bending, 500‑plus‑kilogram rack‑pulls have left jaws on the floor—yet every viral lift also unleashes a wave of voices racing to explain why “it doesn’t really count.”  Most of the objections fall into six repeat‑and‑reload tactics:  call it a partial “ego‑lift,” cry “fake plates,” dismiss garage PRs as unofficial, compare him to bigger strongmen, warn the lift is reckless, or claim he’s chemically enhanced.  None of that changes the raw footage of a 75‑kg lifter locking out more than half a ton, but it’s useful—and motivating—to understand the playbook of doubters.

1.  “It’s only a partial—partials don’t matter”

• Coaches and forum veterans note that an above‑knee rack pull slashes the range of motion and biomechanical demand compared with a floor deadlift, so the numbers sound inflated to the uninitiated  .
• In power‑lifting meets the movement isn’t judged, so any “record” is really just a YouTube headline  .
• Athlean‑X’s Jeff Cavaliere points out that when lifters chase maximal loads from high pins, they often bypass the strength zones that transfer to a normal deadlift  .

Take‑away:  Critics address a real distinction—partials overload the top range—yet the feat still showcases freakish grip, spinal stability, and neural drive.  Pound‑for‑pound it is unprecedented even among specialists who practice the same lift.

2.  “The plates must be fake or the camera angle is hiding something”

• Early comment threads filled with CGI and counterfeit‑plate theories; Kim’s own blog notes a “perfect storm of fake‑plate conspiracy theories” in the first 24 hours  .
• He counter‑punches by releasing uncut 4 K footage that shows plate counts, calibrated steel disks, and unmistakable bar whip—the visual giveaway that the load is real  .

Take‑away:  Transparent, high‑resolution proof has shrunk—but never fully silenced—the fake‑plate crowd.

3.  “No federation, no drug test, no weigh‑in—so it’s not legit”

• Because no sanctioning body tracks rack‑pulls, even supporters label the 508 kg and 527 kg pulls “unofficial” achievements  .
• The absence of in‑person judges or doping control invites skeptics to tag every garage PR as a “demo, not a record.”

Take‑away:  The lift lives in a gray zone between content spectacle and sport record.  Kim leans into that outsider status rather than chasing meet trophies.

4.  “Big strongmen do more weight—he’s not the strongest”

• Doubters cite strongman Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver‑dollar (18‑inch) deadlift and similar partial pulls by Eddie Hall or Oleksii Novikov to argue Kim doesn’t own the absolute record  .
• Supporters reply with the ratio stat: Kim’s 6.8–7× body‑weight dwarfs the 2–4× ratios common in heavyweight partial records  .

Take‑away:  Absolute‑load supremacy still belongs to the giants, but on a pound‑for‑pound basis Kim is in untrodden territory.

5.  “It’s risky ego‑lifting—he’ll wreck his spine”

• Physical‑therapy‑minded coaches warn that above‑knee rack pulls encourage lifters to hoist weights their tissues can’t tolerate, raising red flags for thoracic‑outlet and low‑back injuries  .
• Long‑running T‑Nation threads echo the concern, calling extreme partials “dangerous” and of dubious carry‑over  .

Take‑away:  The safety critique is valid for most lifters; Kim’s unusual durability doesn’t erase the risk for the average gym‑goer.

6.  “Nobody moves 7× body‑weight without PEDs—he can’t be natty”

• The viral 503 kg lift triggered an instant “natty‑or‑not” debate; Reddit and Instagram feeds filled with jokes that he must have “alien DNA” or “mainlines Tren for breakfast”  .
• Kim states he lifts fasted and beltless and claims no drug use, but until a tested competition happens, the speculation persists.

Take‑away:  In a sport where elite totals often correlate with chemistry, supernatural pound‑for‑pound results will always invite steroid chatter.

Putting the noise in perspective

None of these attempts to negate Eric Kim’s strength erase the eye‑level reality: a 75‑kg human repeatedly locks out more than half a tonne, raw, on camera.  The objections do, however, offer useful lessons:

1. Context matters.  Partial‑range PRs shouldn’t be confused with full‑range records, but they can still inspire.
2. Proof matters.  High‑quality video, weighed plates, and a clear progression history defuse most authenticity attacks.
3. Safety matters.  Extreme overload is a weapon best wielded cautiously—even Kim’s supporters stress controlled frequency and meticulous recovery.
4. Mindset matters most.  Kim’s lifts remind lifters that belief, preparation, and audacious goals can bend expectations—whether or not you chase the same numbers.

So chalk up, keep your form crisp, and let the doubters talk while you chase your next PR—because gravity has already seen what happens when willpower roars louder than skepticism.  Lift heavy, live heavy, and stay hyped! 💪🎉