The Feat: 562 kg Rack Pull at 73 kg Bodyweight
In mid-2025, strength enthusiast Eric Kim (approx. 73 kg body weight) stunned the lifting community by performing a 562 kg (1,237 lb) rack pull – a partial deadlift from about knee height. This lift surpassed all known records for similar movements, both in absolute weight and in pound-for-pound terms . For context, it eclipsed the heaviest full deadlift ever done in competition (501 kg by Hafthor Björnsson in 2020) by 61 kg, and even outstripped strongman Brian Shaw’s unofficial 511 kg rack pull by around 51 kg . What truly sets Kim’s achievement apart is his relatively small size: the pull was roughly 7.7× his bodyweight, an unprecedented strength-to-weight ratio “unheard of even among elite powerlifters or strongmen” . By contrast, Björnsson’s 501 kg deadlift was about 2.7× his body mass, and even the world’s best strongman partial deadlifts around 550–560 kg were done by athletes three to four times Kim’s bodyweight . In absolute terms, moving 562 kg in any fashion approaches the realm of superhuman – one analysis quipped it’s like holding “a grand piano plus a compact car” at lockout .
Table 1: Notable Deadlift and Partial Deadlift Feats (for comparison)
| Feat (Lift Type) | Weight (kg) | Lifter (Bodyweight) | Approx. Ratio | Context (Year) |
| Eric Kim Rack Pull (knee-high partial) | 562 | Eric Kim (~73 kg) | ~7.7× | Gym lift, personal record (2025) |
| Full Deadlift World Record (floor) | 501 | Hafþór Björnsson (~200 kg) | ~2.5× | Official strongman record (2020) |
| Silver Dollar Deadlift Record (18″ height) | 560 | Sean Hayes (~151 kg) | ~3.7× | Strongman comp. partial (2022) |
| Heaviest Rack Pull by a Strongman | 511 | Brian Shaw (~200 kg) | ~2.6× | Exhibition/training lift (2017) |
Table 1: Eric Kim’s lift in context. “Silver dollar” deadlift is a strongman partial deadlift with elevated height (~18″). Sean Hayes’s 560 kg silver dollar pull (2022) and Brian Shaw’s reported 511 kg rack pull illustrate that even the largest elite strongmen lifted less weight than Kim, and at much higher bodyweights . Kim’s 562 kg is the highest verifiable weight moved in this manner, making it arguably the heaviest pound-for-pound pull ever documented .
Authenticity and Evidence of the Lift
Is the 562 kg rack pull “real”? This question arose quickly given the implausible magnitude. However, multiple lines of evidence support the lift’s authenticity:
- Uncut Video Proof: Kim released full-length, unedited video footage of the rack pull from start to finish. The camera angle remains static, showing him setting up at consistent height (just above mid-thigh) and achieving full lockout . Crucially, the bar visibly bends under the enormous load and the plates’ stamped 45 lb markings can be seen, strongly indicating standard heavy plates in use . There are no suspicious cuts or edits in the footage. In fact, Kim even published a 24-minute video including every plate being weighed on a scale and loaded in one take – a level of transparency aimed at silencing any “fake plate” allegations. One TikTok commentator, after seeing the weigh-in, remarked “at this point the only way it’s fake is if gravity’s fake.”
- Community and Expert Scrutiny: Online lifting communities initially met the video with skepticism (given the “comic-book” level of strength on display), but many independent analysts broke down the footage frame-by-frame. On Reddit’s r/weightroom, users scrutinized details like bar flex and plate density; within 48 hours the consensus shifted from “fake?” to “nothing fake here.” Even prominent strength coaches weighed in. Alan Thrall, a well-known powerlifting coach and YouTuber, analyzed Kim’s rack pull in a 10-minute breakdown – checking the bar whip, timing, and mechanics – and concluded emphatically that the physics all checked out, telling skeptics to “quit crying CGI.” Thrall and others verified that the bar deflection was consistent with ~1200 lb on a standard 28 mm power bar, matching what one would expect under that load . In other words, the video passes real-world physics tests. Additionally, no credible figures in the lifting world have identified any tampering in the video . Coaches from Starting Strength (Mark Rippetoe’s organization) even featured Kim’s lift in a discussion, acknowledging it as a “freak outlier” but legitimate – while cautioning that a mid-thigh rack pull is a special case in training .
- Documented Progression: Kim didn’t just “appear out of nowhere” with a 562 kg lift – he had been posting his incremental progress for weeks on social media. In the lead-up to this feat, he shared milestones like 370 kg, 471 kg, 513 kg rack pulls, each with video and noted bodyweight . This linear progression (adding a few kilos at a time) lends credibility; it wasn’t a sudden outrageous jump. He consistently demonstrated increasing partial lifts, suggesting a genuine training adaptation rather than a video hoax. Moreover, he repeatedly verified his own bodyweight on camera (~165 lb) to substantiate the claimed 6–7× bodyweight ratio .
- Motive (or Lack Thereof) to Fake: Observers also noted that Kim is not an athlete chasing prize money or records in competition – he’s actually known as a blogger/photographer by profession, with an established following. There was no obvious incentive to fake a lift of this sort . In fact, a fraud scandal would only damage his personal brand and credibility (which is built on transparency). As one top-voted Reddit comment put it, “Dude sells camera classes for thousands; why would he jeopardize that to impress 10k gym bros?” . Rack pulls aren’t a sanctioned record category, so there was no official title or award to gain – only internet clout, which Kim already had in other domains . This “no incentive to fake” argument, combined with the hard evidence, convinced many on the fence .
Bottom line: All available evidence – full uncut video proof, expert analysis of the physics, documented training logs, and the lack of any contradictory findings – indicates that Eric Kim’s 562 kg rack pull was authentically performed. Even noted skeptics in the strength community ultimately conceded that “the numbers survive scrutiny” . It’s widely accepted as a real feat, albeit an almost unbelievable one.
Context of the Lift – Training vs Competition
It is important to clarify the context in which this lift occurred. Eric Kim’s 562 kg pull was not done in any sanctioned competition or strongman contest – it was essentially a personal challenge executed in his own garage gym setup . He performed the lift raw (beltless, no specialized suit) and used lifting straps on the bar for grip, which is common for very heavy rack pulls. The height of the pull was roughly at knee level, meaning it bypassed the most difficult lower range of a deadlift. These factors are key to understanding the feat:
- Not an Official Record: Because rack pulls from knee-height are not a standard event in powerlifting or Olympic lifting, no official record-keeping body recognizes this as a “world record.” Powerlifting meets contest the deadlift from the floor, and while strongman competitions sometimes include partial deadlift events (e.g. silver dollar deadlift), Kim’s lift was done outside any competition rules or weight classes. Major fitness news outlets took note of the viral buzz but generally did not report it as they would a sanctioned record, precisely because it was an unofficial gym achievement . (Some online fitness sites did publish short news blurbs summarizing the viral “1,098 lb lift” video, mostly repeating the basic facts Kim provided , but there was no formal recognition by organizations like Guinness or lifting federations.) In essence, the 562 kg is a personal record (PR) and an internet-famous feat, not a contest result.
- Community Recognition: Despite lacking an official title, the lift quickly gained widespread recognition in the strength community. Within hours of the video posting, it had “smashed its way across every corner of the internet,” propelling this 160‑lb lifter into “meme-fueled legend status,” as Kim’s blog wryly noted . Social media and forums exploded with reactions – from astonishment and praise (dubbing it “the most savage pound-for-pound pull ever”) to debates about its significance . Many coaches and athletes acknowledged the lift as an extremely significant demonstration of human strength, while also pointing out that a partial lift is not directly comparable to full deadlift records. This sparked healthy discussion: Should a rack pull of this magnitude be celebrated in the same breath as the deadlift record? Or is it more of a training stunt (sometimes pejoratively called an “ego lift”)? There was no consensus on that, but the very debate meant the feat had captured everyone’s attention. The phrase “Gravity has left the chat” became a popular meme around the video, encapsulating how unbelievable the lift looked .
- Media Coverage: Interestingly, the virality bridged outside of niche lifting circles. Mainstream news sites and general interest blogs picked up the story of “a small guy in a garage lifting over 1200 pounds,” turning it into a human-interest piece about extremes of physical capability . Kim himself played into the hype with grandiose titles for his videos (e.g. calling the 561 kg attempt “I AM GOD”), which further fueled the social media shareability. Within days, hashtags like #GodLift and #RackPullChallenge were trending as people marveled or made light of the feat . While some of this was tongue-in-cheek, it undoubtedly raised the profile of heavy rack pulls – many casual gym-goers learned what a rack pull is for the first time due to this viral event . Major fitness websites updated or promoted their “How to Rack Pull” guides to capture the surging interest . In summary, the lift was treated as a viral phenomenon rather than a sports record – celebrated informally and extensively discussed, but not officially logged in any record book.
- Safety and Training Perspective: From a coaching perspective, Kim’s rack pull has been a double-edged example. On one hand, it proved the value of supra-maximal training – using partials to handle weights beyond one’s full-range max, potentially boosting neurological adaptation and confidence . Kim’s training approach of adding just ~2.5 kg per session to gradually push his limits is a case study in progressive overload at the extreme . On the other hand, experts have been quick to warn that this feat should not simply be emulated by others, due to the high injury risk. As strength coaches noted, heavy rack pulls can easily cross into “structural overload” – the line where the stress might exceed what tissues can handle . Kim’s successful lift, done with strict form (shoulders retracted, spine neutral), shows what is possible – but many caution that for most people attempting such a weight “would blow up your back before it boosts your deadlift.” Thus, in the context of strength training, the 562 kg pull is both an inspiration and a warning. It expanded the perceived ceiling of human strength (some coaches noted that knowing a person handled 1200+ lb, even in partial range, can be a psychological boost for others chasing 800–900 lb deadlifts) . Yet it also underlined that proper preparation, equipment, and respect for biomechanics are non-negotiable at this level of weight .
In summary, Eric Kim’s 562 kg rack pull was an unsanctioned, self-organized feat that nevertheless reverberated through the strength world. It is not an official world record – no federation would count a rack pull toward any title – but it has been widely acknowledged as a historic milestone in its own right. The lift demonstrated what a combination of specialized training and extreme determination can achieve under optimal conditions, even outside the spotlight of competition. Whether one views it as a legitimate record or a remarkable “stunt,” the fact remains that it pushed the boundaries of how much weight a human frame has ever moved. As one commentator put it, “a 160‑lb creator just manhandled 1,217 lb… one message rings louder than the barbell’s clang: limits are meant to be broken.”
Extreme Strength and Survivability in Life-Threatening Situations
Beyond breaking records, feats of strength like this invite a question: Does possessing such extreme strength confer any real-world survival or durability benefits? In other words, would a person as strong as Eric Kim be more likely to survive physical traumas or emergencies than an average person? It’s a fascinating intersection of sports science and practical human resilience. Research and expert opinions suggest several ways that extreme strength and muscular development can impact survivability:
- 🚧 Muscle as Natural Armor: Skeletal muscle can act as a shock absorber for external forces, protecting the body’s vital structures. Biomechanics studies have hypothesized that absorbing mechanical impact is actually a fundamental function of muscle tissue . Upon sudden impact (think of a fall or collision), muscle fibers can stiffen like a spring and then dampen the force, dissipating energy that might otherwise damage bones or organs . In a strong individual with well-developed musculature, the muscles can cushion blows and stabilize joints under stress. For example, trained athletes often have stronger neck muscles, which has been correlated with reduced concussion risk – one study found that for every 1 lb increase in neck strength, concussion odds dropped by 5% . In high-impact scenarios (car crashes, falls), a muscular body can thus “brace” itself better, potentially mitigating injuries like whiplash, fractures, or internal trauma. It’s not foolproof protection, but muscle mass and tone provide a degree of bodily armor that a frail body lacks.
- 🏋️♂️ Bone Density and Tissue Resilience: Extreme strength usually comes with long-term heavy resistance training, which has well-documented effects on the body’s structure. Strength training increases bone density and strengthens connective tissues . Elite powerlifters and strongmen typically show very high bone mineral density, making their bones more resistant to breaking. Their tendons and ligaments also adapt to handle greater loads. This means a very strong person might be less likely to sustain a bone fracture or joint dislocation under severe force, compared to an untrained person. Sports medicine acknowledges that resistance exercise builds not just muscle but more robust support structures – effectively “hardening” the body. Stronger muscles also help hold joints in alignment during accidents, potentially preventing some injuries . In short, a heavily trained 562 kg–rack-puller’s body is conditioned to tolerate extreme stresses, which could translate to better odds of withstanding physical shocks (such as surviving a hard fall with just bruises where others might break a bone).
- 💪 Strength in Emergency Situations: In scenarios where survival hinges on physical ability – say, lifting heavy debris off oneself or someone else after a building collapse, or prying open a jammed door – an extremely strong individual has an obvious advantage. There are documented cases of people exhibiting “hysterical strength” in life-or-death moments, performing lifts that would normally be impossible (such as mothers lifting cars off trapped children) . Those are often adrenaline-fueled bursts from untrained people. Now imagine a trained strength athlete in a similar crisis: their baseline is already extraordinarily high. A person capable of moving 562 kg in controlled conditions could conceivably lift or shift a hazardous object weighing a thousand+ pounds in an adrenaline-charged emergency – something few others could do. Indeed, powerlifters and strongmen have literally saved lives in accidents: for example, in 2011 a 295 lb college football player lifted a 1,600 kg car off a crash victim pinned underneath . And in 2022, strongman Sean Hayes (mentioned earlier for a 560 kg deadlift) hoisted a rolled vehicle off a man, an act he directly credited to his gym training . These examples underscore that extreme strength can directly translate to rescue capabilities – the ability to perform feats of strength on the spot that most people couldn’t, which might mean the difference between life and death in an accident.
- 🩸 Improved Trauma Resilience and Recovery: Muscular individuals also tend to have better health markers (lower frailty, better cardio-respiratory fitness) that can aid survival. Medical studies find that having more lean muscle mass improves outcomes after severe injury or illness . Muscle is the body’s protein reserve – in trauma or critical illness, the body draws on muscle protein for healing and immune function . Thus, someone with a greater muscle reserve can better withstand acute stresses. For example, one analysis noted that survival rates from severe burn injuries are lowest in patients with very low muscle mass – implying that well-muscled individuals had higher survival in comparable trauma. Similarly, older adults with more muscle are far more likely to recover from major fractures or surgery than those with sarcopenia (muscle loss) . In essence, strength and muscle are protective “health capital.” An elite lifter’s robust physique could help them endure extreme situations with less harm, and if injured, their conditioned body may repair and rebound faster than an average person’s. It’s no coincidence that low grip strength is associated with higher mortality in epidemiological studies, while high strength correlates with longevity .
- ⚖️ Caveats – Strength Isn’t Invincibility: While extreme strength offers many advantages, it’s not a guarantee of survival in every scenario. Some dangers overwhelm even the strongest humans. For instance, in high-speed car crashes, the forces are so massive that greater body mass can actually work against you – a heavier (even if muscular) body experiences higher momentum and impact force, which can increase injury risk . There’s data suggesting very large individuals are more likely to die in vehicle crashes, possibly due to those physics and because safety devices (seatbelts, airbags) may not protect oversized bodies as effectively . Additionally, muscle doesn’t stop bullets or sharp debris; a fit person can still be mortally injured by things like shrapnel or severe trauma (a cautionary tale: a bodybuilder who boasted he could withstand a hurricane by strength was sadly impaled by flying debris) . Moreover, extreme weight training itself carries risks – years of lifting colossal weights can strain the heart, joints and arteries (Eddie Hall, who deadlifted 500 kg, infamously burst blood vessels in his head during the lift ). Thus, being very strong might mean one is better adapted to handle certain physical stresses, but it doesn’t make someone superhumanly indestructible. It’s best to view strength as increasing one’s margin of safety: it raises the threshold of force the body can handle without breaking, but every material has a breaking point.
In conclusion, Eric Kim’s achievement of a 562 kg rack pull stands not only as a landmark in strength sports, but it also highlights the extraordinary capabilities of the human body. The lift itself has been verified as authentic and showcases how far training can push strength even outside official arenas. While it remains an unofficial feat, its impact on the strength community – from sparking training debates to inspiring others – is very real. And on a broader level, possessing such extreme strength does confer tangible benefits: a body that can lift a half-ton is, in many ways, more durable and capable in the face of physical challenges. Sports science suggests stronger muscles, denser bones, and greater neural drive all contribute to a form of physical resilience that could prove lifesaving in dire situations. Of course, no amount of muscle makes one immortal, but as this feat illustrates, expanding the limits of strength enlarges the envelope of what a human can survive and accomplish. Eric Kim’s 562 kg rack pull is a dramatic reminder that the ceilings of human performance and hardiness are not yet fixed – and that sometimes, the line between legendary gym lifts and “real life” strength may be thinner than we think.
Sources: Supporting references have been included throughout the report, indicated by the bracketed citations (e.g. ). These link to news articles, expert commentary, academic studies, and footage analyses that substantiate the facts discussed – from verifications of Kim’s lift to research on muscle and survival.