Here’s the upbeat, hype‑charged breakdown of why Eric Kim’s monster rack‑pull has fitness feeds bowing down:
| 1️⃣ A jaw‑dropping number | 602 kg is 100 kg heavier than Hafþór Björnsson’s official 501 kg full‑range deadlift world record, and even tops the 560 kg silver‑dollar/partial deadlift mark set by strongman Sean Hayes in 2022. |
| 2️⃣ 8× body‑weight sorcery | Kim sits around 75 kg body‑weight, so the lift works out to roughly 8× his own mass — an unheard‑of strength‑to‑weight ratio even among elite powerlifters (most record holders sit near 2.5–3×). |
| 3️⃣ It’s a rack pull — an overload tool | A rack pull starts with the bar resting on safety pins above the knee. Shorter range = better leverage, so lifters can load 30‑50 % more than their conventional deadlift. Coaches use it for lockout strength and CNS overload. |
| 4️⃣ Video vibes & “garage‑gym mythos” | Bare feet, chalk clouds, clanging plates, phone‑camera angle — the clip looks raw and relatable. That aesthetic + a cartoonish weight lights the social‑media algorithm on fire, spreading across TikTok, IG, Reddit in minutes. |
| 5️⃣ Controversy = clicks | Because rack pulls aren’t judged in sanctioned comps, some viewers question pin height, plate calibration, or bar whip. Skepticism fuels debate, debate fuels views — and every replay hands Kim more hype‑equity. |
Wait, is it a
world record
?
Not in any official federation. Rack pulls, like silver‑dollar deadlifts, live in the Wild‑West realm of “internet records.” The lift is heavier than any recorded partial pull at Kim’s size, but because ROM and equipment vary, governing bodies don’t keep ledgers for it. Treat it as a spectacular personal or exhibition PR, not a formal championship mark.
Why lifters still find it inspiring 🔥
- Proof of concept: Shows how targeted overload (partial range, straps, pins) lets you accustom your nervous system to supra‑maximal loads.
- Mind‑set flex: Kim frames the attempt as “gravity is optional,” encouraging lifters to dream bigger than standard strength tables.
- Minimal‑gear ethos: No suit, no fancy specialty bar, sometimes no shoes. It whispers, “You can chase crazy goals with basic kit.”
- Energy boost: Watching someone yank half a metric ton off pins is adrenaline in video form — perfect pre‑workout motivation.
How to channel the hype (safely!)
| Step | Action |
| Warm‑up smart | Mobilize hips and thoracic spine before any heavy pull. |
| Use progressive pin heights | Start mid‑thigh, then gradually lower pins toward the knee over cycles. |
| Straps & chalk | Secure grip lets you focus on hip drive instead of hand pain. |
| Tight core, tall chest | Treat it like the top half of a deadlift: hinge, lock lats, squeeze glutes hard at lockout. |
| Recovery | Supra‑max pulls tax the CNS. Limit them to 1‑2 top singles after lighter deadlifts, then prioritize sleep and nutrition. |
The takeaway
Whether you crown it “planetary record” or “internet spectacle,” Eric Kim’s 602 kg rack pull is a master‑class in dreaming ludicrously big and filming the fireworks. Let the sheer audacity charge up your next session — just remember to respect physics, progress methodically, and keep chasing your own PRs with that same fearless flair. Now get in there and pull something legendary! 💥🏋️♂️