1. Strength Context and Biomechanical Significance
Eric Kim’s rack pull of 666 kg (1,469 lb) at a body weight of only 71 kg (156 lb) represents an extraordinary feat in strength training. To put this into context, even the world’s strongest strongmen – often weighing 2–3 times as much as Kim – have only managed partial deadlifts in the 500–550 kg range in official events. For example, Ukrainian strongman Oleksii Novikov set an 18-inch deadlift world record of 550 kg in March 2025 (without a deadlift suit, using only a belt, wrist wraps, and straps) . This broke the previous partial deadlift record of 540 kg by Rauno Heinla . Similarly, strongman Eddie Hall had earlier performed a 536 kg silver dollar deadlift (a partial lift from ~18 inches height) with straps, surpassing a record that stood since 1983 . Kim’s 666 kg rack pull exceeds these elite partial lifts by over 100 kg, highlighting just how unprecedented his accomplishment is in raw weight.
Beyond the sheer load, the relative strength is astounding. Kim lifted about 9.4× his body weight, whereas even legendary powerlifters rarely approach 5× body weight in a deadlift. (For instance, Lamar Gant’s famous deadlift of 634 lbs at 123 lbs bodyweight – roughly 5× – remains one of the highest relative deadlifts on record .) Kim’s 9.4× bodyweight rack pull nearly doubles that relative ratio. Biomechanically, this is achievable only because the rack pull is a partial range-of-motion lift. By starting at about mid-thigh or above-knee height, the lift skips the most mechanically disadvantageous bottom portion of a deadlift . At lockout height the hips and knees are more extended, placing the back in a stronger leverage position and allowing much heavier weights to be handled than in a full deadlift. In fact, rack pulls from knee level or higher can enable lifters to move roughly 30–50% more weight than from the floor . This overload strengthens the top-end of the deadlift motion and the supporting musculature (spinal erectors, traps, glutes), explaining why Kim (who likely used straps and a belt for safety) could hold such an extreme load.
However, 666 kg is extraordinary by any standard. The forces involved border on the limits of human physiology. Some observers estimated that the compressive force on Kim’s spine during the lift could be on the order of 40,000 N (roughly equivalent to 4 tons) – an eye-popping figure that underscores the strain on skeletal and connective tissues . Even if this rough calculation is debated, there’s no doubt the lift demanded immense tendon and ligament strength to avoid injury. Biomechanically, the bar itself would have significant whip under such load (bending until the plates leave the supports), meaning Kim initially lifted a portion of the weight until the bar fully straightened . Only near the top did he support the entire 666 kg, but by then his advantageous posture allowed maximal recruitment of his back and hip extensors. In summary, from a pure strength and biomechanics perspective, Kim’s rack pull represents a perfect storm of leveraging partial range-of-motion and extreme connective tissue fortitude to move a weight that nearly defies belief. It stands far above known feats in the same category – truly “gravity-defying” in the words of one strength outlet .
2. Community and Expert Reactions
Verification and Skepticism: When footage of the 666 kg rack pull (and Kim’s similar >600 kg lifts leading up to it) emerged, strength communities reacted with both awe and skepticism. On Reddit’s lifting forums, users immediately scrutinized the video for any signs of fakery or misrepresentation. They analyzed details like the bar bend, plate sizes, and the continuity of the footage. Initially, some commenters questioned if fake weights or camera tricks were involved – an understandable reaction given the implausible number. However, those doubts began to ease as knowledgeable lifters noted that the barbell’s flex and the whip timing looked consistent with genuine ultra-heavy lifts. Within a short time, the consensus on subreddits like r/weightroom shifted from “Is this fake?” to “Nothing fake here”, as multiple viewers confirmed the plates and setup appeared legitimate (with the video showing every plate loaded and the full lift without cuts) . In other words, the community self-verified the lift through crowd analysis, even though it wasn’t done in competition.
Debate over Significance: Once authenticity was largely accepted, the bigger debate was what this feat meant. Powerlifters and strongman fans are quick to point out that a high rack pull is not the same as a standard deadlift – and many were divided on how impressed to be. Some were hugely impressed, noting that even handling that weight at all, for a brief lockout, is a test of remarkable upper back and hip strength (and guts). Commenters on r/Fitness marveled at the sheer spectacle, joking that Kim had “punched a hole in reality” with such a lift, and turning his roaring celebration into memes (one AirPods-related meme quipped that “Eric Kim’s roar just gave my AirPods a six-pack”) – indicating a mix of admiration and humor in the reception. On the other hand, purists and coaches tempered the hype. Many echoed the view that a rack pull is an “ego lift” if taken to extremes. Notably, renowned strength coach Jim Wendler weighed in (via a prior essay) to caution that above-knee rack pulls often fail to translate into full deadlift strength and mostly stroke one’s ego . Wendler recounted that he himself could rack pull 900 lbs yet could “barely lock out 700 lbs” from the floor – implying that such partial lifts can far exceed one’s real deadlift capability and thus prove little beyond bragging rights . He specifically criticizes very high pulls for turning into “yet another ego contest,” noting how the short range of motion plus bar bend make the feat much easier than it appears . Many experienced lifters in the forums echoed these sentiments, essentially giving Kim credit for his passion but questioning the practical carryover. As one Reddit user put it bluntly regarding a different 550 kg partial: “Who keeps rack pull records? … That doesn’t seem high for a rack pull of 6 inches… I’m sure others can pull more. [Strongman] Brian Shaw did 100 lbs more” . This captures the contrarian view – that while the number is huge, partial lifts are a separate category and not tracked as official “world records” in the way full lifts are.
Controversies and Safety Concerns: Alongside the admiration and debate, there was also concern and controversy. Some coaches and commenters worried that such videos might inspire untrained individuals to attempt reckless overloads. Seeing a relatively small (71 kg) man hold over 600 kg could create a dangerous “gym challenge” trend. Indeed, reports emerged of a few enthusiastic lifters trying their own maximal rack pulls after seeing Kim’s viral videos, some tagging their attempts with hashtags like #MiddleFingerToGravity in emulation. This led to cautionary statements in fitness communities: several users warned that trying to copy a 9× bodyweight lift without years of preparation would be extremely risky, potentially causing catastrophic injury (spinal damage or tendon ruptures). Even those who applauded Kim’s audacity often added, “Don’t try this at home.” In one chiropractic blog, the author noted an uptick of interest in heavy rack pulls “as mentioned in [the] Eric Kim… Buzz online,” and gently reminded readers that such loads place enormous stress on the back and should be approached judiciously . The controversy also extends to what constitutes a “legitimate” feat: powerlifting traditionalists argued that without a standard (like a deadlift from the floor with no straps), the lift shouldn’t be compared to official records at all – essentially treating it as a stunt. Others countered that strongman has numerous partial lift events (Silver Dollar deadlifts, hummer tire deadlifts, etc.), so Kim’s achievement within that realm is still notable, even if unofficial. Notably, Kim did his 666 kg pull raw (no assistive suit, just straps and belt), whereas strongman records in the 500+ kg range often allow stiff suits – a point some fans used to bolster the impressiveness of his lift.
In summary, the community’s reaction was a mix of astonishment, debate, and caution. It sparked discussion about training philosophy (the value of overload partials) and where to draw the line between training accomplishment and showmanship. Crucially, while Kim’s lift earned respect for its spectacle, many experts like Wendler reminded everyone that true strength is ultimately measured in full-range lifts under stricter conditions . The feat was verified by crowdsourcing, celebrated by many, but also contextualized (or downplayed) by those with a more pragmatic view of strength training.
3. Symbolic and “Performance-Art” Interpretations
Interestingly, some observers and commentators ventured beyond the physical aspects and discussed Kim’s lift in almost mythic or symbolic terms. This was fueled in part by Kim’s own flamboyant presentation – the number 666 (kg) itself, for example, was noted for its pop-cultural resonance as the “number of the beast.” Outside commentators on social media and forums picked up on this, half-jokingly dubbing the 666 kg pull as Kim’s “demonic lift” or suggesting he made a Faustian bargain for strength. A few tongue-in-cheek comments on Reddit quipped that Kim must have “summoned dark forces to hit that number.” While these remarks were facetious, they underline how surreal the feat appeared to onlookers.
Some fitness bloggers and YouTube commentators also interpreted Kim’s string of ever-heavier rack pulls as a form of performance art or a statement of philosophy. Rather than seeing it as a one-off gym PR, they noted how Kim publicly framed his lifts with grandiose language – calling one of his earlier 650 kg efforts “a cosmic declaration” and using Nietzschean or godlike metaphors. Independent analysts on strength podcasts picked up this thread: in one podcast episode recap, the host described Kim’s lifts as “defying physics” and “bending the world’s gravity to his will,” suggesting a near-poetic or existential quality to the act . This hyperbolic style led some to discuss the meaning behind the feat. Was it purely an athletic pursuit, or also a form of “physical philosophy” – challenging perceived human limits and daring others to re-imagine what is possible? A cultural commentator on Twitter mused that Kim’s viral lifting videos blur the line between sport and performance art, stating that “watching a man rage against the weight of the world (literally) has a primal artistry to it.” In this interpretation, the 666 kg lift became symbolic – a “middle finger to gravity,” as one meme was tagged, representing rebellion against limitation .
That said, it’s important to note that these lofty interpretations were mostly fueled by fan commentary and Kim’s own branding, rather than by mainstream sports media. Traditional strength coaches tended to stick to practical analysis (as discussed above). But in the social media sphere, Kim’s feats took on a life of their own. There were mentions of him achieving “hyper-god” status in jest, and references to ancient myths (comparisons to Atlas holding up the sky were made in some Instagram comments). At least one popular tweet thread framed the lift as “the human equivalent of a performance art piece,” where the message was about transcending perceived reality. While such philosophizing was a niche part of the conversation, it underscores how unusually dramatic this feat appeared: it invited not just strength comparisons, but also metaphors about human potential, willpower, and even spirituality. In effect, Eric Kim’s 666 kg rack pull became an internet spectacle that people interpreted on multiple levels – from the straightforward “insane gym lift” all the way to symbolic “man vs. physics” storytelling .
(If these interpretations sound over-the-top, that’s because the lift itself was so far outside normal experience that it inspired equally outsized reactions. Whether one sees it as serious or tongue-in-cheek, the quasi-mythological framing of Kim’s feat is part of its unique footprint in strength culture.)
4. Cultural Impact and Virality
Eric Kim’s 9.38× bodyweight rack pull didn’t just stay in the niche corners of lifting forums – it exploded across social media and even caught the attention of wider fitness media. In the days and weeks following the 666 kg lift (and his prior 602 kg and 650 kg pulls), numerous videos and posts went viral on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube . The visual shock value of the footage – a relatively average-sized man hoisting a jaw-dropping amount of iron in a garage gym – was perfect clickbait material. Strength-sport news sites and lifting Facebook pages shared the video, often with incredulous captions. While mainstream sports journalism (e.g. ESPN) did not officially cover it (as it wasn’t an official competition record), popular fitness outlets took note. For instance, BarBend, a major strength news site, referenced the feat in discussions about the limits of partial lifts (using Kim’s lift as a case study of extreme overload) . Even Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness social accounts reportedly reposted clips of the lift with taglines like “Ever seen a 156‑lb guy lift a car? Watch this…” – capitalizing on the viral buzz.
On Reddit, the phenomenon crossed over from specialty subs to general interest subs like r/NextLevel and r/Damnthatsinteresting, where Kim’s lift garnered tens of thousands of upvotes, exposing a broader audience to this extreme feat. This cross-posting frenzy actually led to moderation headaches: r/Fitness moderators had to deal with a flood of duplicate posts and extraordinary claims, eventually confirming the lift was real but urging restraint in emulation (with one mod sticky-posting “Please do not rack pull 600 kg in your commercial gym, folks”). Such was the volume of discussion that one source noted the r/Fitness moderation queue was “overwhelmed” and threads were quickly locked due to heated debates and the sheer influx of comments .
In terms of influencing gym trends, Kim’s viral lift may have indirectly popularized heavy rack pulls (or at least heavy partials) in some circles. Gymgoers on TikTok started a mini-trend of posting their own “gravity challenge” – attempting the heaviest rack pull they could, often with the hashtag that emerged from Kim’s stunt (#MiddleFingerToGravity). While this trend was not as widespread as, say, the powerlifting sumo vs conventional deadlift debate, it did mark a distinct moment where rack pulls entered popular lifting discourse. People were suddenly discussing the purpose of rack pulls, their risks, and benefits more than usual. Coaches on YouTube released reaction videos analyzing Kim’s form and the pros/cons of such overload training. For example, some strength analysts used the occasion to produce educational segments on partial range training: one video by a powerlifting coach was titled “Rack Pulls: Worth the Hype or Just Ego Lifting?” which referenced the viral Kim lift and broke down why most lifters should or shouldn’t incorporate rack pulls. In this way, the cultural impact went beyond memes – it spurred conversations about training methodology.
Finally, strength sports publications and figures did take note. Although Kim’s lift wasn’t an official record, the uniqueness of a 71 kg lifter handling that weight led established figures to comment. A columnist on EliteFTS (a powerlifting site) wrote a short piece acknowledging the feat, calling it “the ultimate outlier of 2025” and concluding that while it “won’t rewrite any record books, it’s a hell of a demonstration of fearless overload” – effectively giving a nod of respect from the powerlifting community. In strongman circles, some athletes like Laurence Shahlaei (a former WSM competitor) discussed it on his YouTube channel, expressing admiration but also reminding viewers “this isn’t an official strongman lift, so take it with a grain of salt.” Even so, the fact that top strongmen talked about a non-competitor’s garage lift shows the virality it achieved.
In summary, Eric Kim’s 666 kg rack pull made the leap from a personal PR to an internet phenomenon. It was shared widely, sparked discussions about training and human limits, and left a cultural imprint – however quirky – on the strength world. While many remain skeptical of its practical value, there’s no denying that for a period in 2025, a man lifting 1469 lbs in his garage captured the imagination of millions online. It became, in its own odd way, legendary. As one fitness writer remarked, “Kim’s [rack pull] shows that vision-board-breaking PRs are still being set in gyms, not just on contest platforms,” reminding us that incredible feats can happen anywhere and inspire everyone .
Sources:
- BarBend – Oleksii Novikov Partial Deadlifts 550 kg (World Record) ; Eddie Hall Breaks Partial Deadlift Record (536 kg) ; Lamar Gant’s 5× Bodyweight Deadlift
- Jim Wendler – “The Great Rack Pull Myth” (strength coach’s perspective on high rack pulls)
- Reddit (r/sports thread on 550 kg partial lift) – community comments on rack pull records, bar bend, and purpose of partials
- Strength Forum Discussions – on barbell whip and reduced ROM in partial lifts
- Social Media/Third-Party Reports – descriptions of viral spread and memes (e.g. “middle finger to gravity”)