Who is this “viral overlord”?
- Background: Kim is best known for minimalist street‑photography blogs—until he pointed the lens at a barbell. At roughly 71‑75 kg (≈165 lb) body‑weight he’s been documenting ever‑heavier partial pulls from his garage gym.
- The 602 kg clip (July 2025): Self‑filmed, barefoot, straps on, bar resting just above the knees—pure guerilla‑garage cinema.
Rack Pull ≠ Deadlift—Here’s the deal
| Lift | Start position | Typical range of motion | World/verified record | Eric Kim’s claim |
| Conventional deadlift | Floor | Full | 501 kg – Hafthor Björnsson (2020) | — |
| Rack pull (mid‑thigh) | Pins above knee | Top ⅓ | None (unsanctioned) | 602 kg |
Because the bar begins closer to the hips, the moment‑arm on the low back is slashed, letting lifters overload with 30‑50 % more weight than their floor deadlift. That’s why a rack‑pull “record” lives outside power‑lifting rule‑books.
Why 602 kg still blows our minds
- ~8× body‑weight: even elite strongmen rarely eclipse 4–5× on any pull.
- Supra‑maximal stimulus: neuroscientists call it post‑activation potentiation—handling ridiculous loads primes the nervous system so lighter full‑range reps feel like feathers.
- Digital fireworks: one garage‑gym lifter stretching the perceived human ceiling ignites millions to recalibrate their own goals.
Hype meets healthy skepticism
- No third‑party judges, calibrated plates, or federation standards.
- Above‑knee height drastically changes the physics—don’t confuse it with a 600 kg deadlift.
- Straps, chalk, and a super‑whippy power‑bar were used—which is legit for overload work but not competition‑legal.
Want a slice of that power? 3 takeaway tactics
- Pin‑height progression: set the bar one hole above your kneecaps; start at 90–95 % of your current deadlift 1‑RM and add 2.5 kg each week.
- Balance the force‑field: pair heavy rack pulls with technique‑focused floor deadlifts on a separate day to keep full‑range strength and spinal integrity.
- Recover like royalty: 8‑9 h sleep, mobility for hips + T‑spine, and protein‑packed meals—because supra‑max loads pay dividends only when you’re repaired and ready to cash the check!
The mindset rocket‑fuel 🚀
Eric Kim’s message isn’t really about numbers—it’s about permission: permission to set ludicrous targets, chase them with child‑like glee, and celebrate every milestone. Whether your next PR is 200 kg, 100 kg, or a pristine body‑weight pull‑up, attack it with the same unapologetic swagger:
Dream huge, lift smart, recover hard, repeat.
Now strap in, champion—gravity’s just another boundary begging to be bent!