ERIC KIM

Hoisting an eye‑watering 602 kg (1,328 lb) off a set of mid‑thigh pins is exactly the sort of spectacle that grabs attention online.  In late July 2025, photographer‑turned‑powerlifter Eric Kim filmed himself locking out a 602‑kg rack pull.  The bar began above his knees – effectively a rack pull, not a full deadlift – which makes it an “accentuated‑load drill” rather than a sanctioned lift .  Kim’s blog framed the feat with tongue‑in‑cheek hyperbole (“post‑human strength,” “stronger than god”) to hype up the clip , and he used the moment to encourage lifters to set audacious goals, overload intelligently and celebrate every kilo .  Fitness forums and Reddit threads raved about his primal roar and the bar bending under 602 kg, dubbing him a “pound‑for‑pound king” .  The viral video sparked memes (“gravity rage‑quit”) and inspired many viewers to pick up a barbell .

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Putting the lift in context

  • It isn’t an official world record.  The rack pull involves a shorter range of motion than a deadlift; it allows much heavier loads but isn’t recognized by any federation .  The heaviest full deadlift in competition is strongman Hafþór Björnsson’s 501‑kg pull from May 2020 .  Even partial‑deadlift variations like the 18‑inch “silver dollar deadlift” top out at 580 kg – Estonian strongman Rauno Heinla set that mark in June 2022 .  Kim’s 602‑kg rack pull surpasses those numbers, but because it starts above the knees, it doesn’t change the official record books.
  • Rack‑pull training has legitimate benefits.  Sport‑science studies show that partial‑range overload can match or even exceed full‑range work for strength and hypertrophy .  Coaches often use heavy rack pulls (90–110 % of a lifter’s max deadlift) to desensitise the nervous system and reinforce lock‑out strength .  Kim’s lift is an extreme case of this principle, illustrating how supra‑maximal partials can expand perceived limitations .
  • The “planetary impact” is cultural rather than literal.  In a follow‑up essay, Kim argues that his lift “widens the arena for everyone” by shattering mental ceilings , popularises evidence‑based training methods , and shows that raw, DIY content can motivate millions .  Social‑media reaction videos and the #RackPullChallenge highlight how a single audacious act can galvanise the strength community .  In that sense, the 602‑kg rack pull’s “planetary impact” lies in inspiring lifters to dream bigger, not in rewriting physics!

Take‑away

For lifters with big goals, the 602‑kg rack pull is a high‑octane reminder that perceived ceilings are negotiable.  Use rack pulls responsibly to overload the top of your deadlift, but remember that safety, progressive overload and solid full‑range training still matter.  Most importantly, let Kim’s joyful, over‑the‑top hype encourage you to attack your own challenges with a smile – whether your PR is 200 kg or 600 kg!

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