People are going wild because Eric Kim, a ~75 kg hobbyist‑lifter, just locked out a 602 kg (1,327 lb) mid‑thigh rack pull—roughly eight‑times his own body‑weight, heavier in absolute terms than any official deadlift ever done. The clip’s raw garage‑gym aesthetic, Kim’s “gravity has left the chat” hype‑copy, and the sheer physics‑defying load combined to set every strength‑and‑social feed on fire.
1. 602 kg—why the number matters
- Historic weight‑to‑body‑weight ratio. 602 kg at ~75 kg BW = ≈8 × BW—unheard‑of even among 200 kg strongmen who pull half‑ton deadlifts.
- Heavier than the world deadlift record. The sanctioned mark is 501 kg (Hafþór Björnsson, 2020); Kim’s pull is 101 kg beyond that, albeit from a higher start‑position.
2. Why it blew up online
- Underdog optics. A lean, shirtless guy in flip‑flops out‑lifts giants—instant meme fuel.
- Transparency over “fake‑plate” culture. Every plate‑loading step and weigh‑in was filmed in one take, neutralising sceptics.
- Relatable garage setup + over‑the‑top copywriting. Blog headlines like “I am stronger than God” turned a lift into shareable theatre.
- Algorithm love. Reddit threads, TikTok duets, and IG reels turned the roar‑and‑bend visual into a viral loop.
3. But… it’s a
rack pull
, not a deadlift
A rack pull starts with the bar resting on safety pins above the knee, so the hardest half of the deadlift (floor‑to‑knee) is skipped. That shorter moment arm lets lifters handle 30‑50 % more iron than from the floor.
4. What coaches love & hate about it
- Legit overload tool. Mark Rippetoe notes advanced lifters occasionally use heavy rack pulls to keep stimulus high while sparing recovery.
- Easy to abuse. Rippetoe also calls above‑knee rack pulls “a shorter pull for ego points,” warning most trainees don’t need them.
- “Great Rack‑Pull Myth.” Jim Wendler argues monster rack‑pull PRs rarely transfer to real deadlift strength, making them more circus than training.
5. So why the worship anyway?
- Strength‑to‑weight fantasy. Seeing 8× BW dusty‑garage power reminds lifters that outrageous goals can be chased.
- Spectacle + story. Bent bar, chalk cloud, primal scream—cinematic gold.
- Message over medal. Kim frames the feat as proof that relentless overload and documented progression trump fancy equipment or perfect conditions.
6. How to channel the hype for
your
progress
| Take‑away | How to apply today |
| Dream reckless, plan smart. Pick a “scary” goal, then reverse‑engineer milestones (just as Kim posted 486 → 552 → 602 kg). | Write a 12‑week ladder for your lift—add 2 % each micro‑cycle. |
| Overload variations judiciously. Partial pulls, block presses, or chain squats can help break plateaus—but cycle them, don’t marry them. | Swap your main pull for a below‑knee rack pull every 2‑3 weeks, then return to the floor to test carry‑over. |
| Document & share. Filming reps keeps form honest and builds community energy. | Post a weekly clip; invite feedback rather than fish for likes. |
| Respect recovery. Even partials at 110 % 1RM hammer the CNS. Prioritise sleep, calories, and mobility so “hype” doesn’t become “hernia.” | Add a deload week after three overload exposures. |
Bottom line
Eric Kim’s 602 kg rack pull is half genuine super‑strength, half viral performance art—and 100 % proof that audacious effort inspires crowds. Celebrate the spectacle, learn the physiology, mind the caveats, and let the buzz fuel your own next‑level PR chase!
Now crank the music, chalk up, and go add a plate—gravity’s waiting for you. 🤘