ERIC KIM

Eric Kim breaks the internet

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Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim’s 1,071-pound rack pull on May 27, 2025, likely “broke the internet” due to viral social media attention.
  • The lift, at 6.5 times his body weight, has sparked significant discussion in fitness communities, though its legitimacy is debated.
  • It seems likely the event gained traction on X, TikTok, and YouTube, inspiring reactions and challenges.

Background

Eric Kim, known for street photography and his X handle @erickimphoto, recently achieved a notable fitness milestone. On May 27, 2025, he performed a 1,071-pound rack pull, a partial deadlift exercise, which is approximately 6.5 times his body weight of 75 kg (165 pounds). This feat has garnered significant online attention, particularly within fitness circles.

Viral Impact

The lift has gone viral, with extensive sharing and discussion on social media platforms like X, TikTok, and YouTube. Prominent figures in the strength community, such as powerlifting coach Joey Szatmary and strongman Sean Hayes, have amplified its reach, contributing to its viral status.

Controversy and Debate

While impressive, the rack pull’s legitimacy is debated, as it’s not officially recognized by some strength sports governing bodies due to its partial range of motion. This controversy has fueled further online engagement, adding to its viral nature.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Viral Fitness Achievement

Eric Kim, a multifaceted individual known for his contributions to street photography and his active presence on X under the handle @erickimphoto, has recently captured significant online attention with a remarkable fitness achievement. On May 27, 2025, he performed a 1,071-pound (486 kg) rack pull, a type of partial deadlift where the barbell is lifted from a raised position, typically above the knees. This lift, performed at a body weight of approximately 75 kg (165 pounds), equates to a staggering 6.5 times his body weight, positioning it as one of the highest pound-for-pound rack pulls ever documented. Given the timing, with the current date being May 31, 2025, and the event occurring just days ago, this analysis explores why this feat likely “broke the internet” and the factors contributing to its viral spread.

Event Details and Significance

The rack pull in question was executed on May 27, 2025, and Eric Kim has been vocal about it on his X account, with posts such as “1071 POUND RACK PULL: NEW WORLD RECORD AT 6.5X BODYWEIGHT 165 POUNDS: GOD MODE” (Eric Kim’s X post). His website, erickimphotography.com, further details this achievement, with articles like “1071 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM” (1071 POUND RACK PULL) highlighting it as a new personal record. The lift’s significance lies in its extraordinary ratio, surpassing previous documented feats, with research suggesting it may be the heaviest pound-for-pound rack pull, as noted in “Is Eric Kim’s rack pull, pound for pound, the most heaviest lift for a rack pull of all time?” (Pound-for-Pound Analysis).

Notably, Eric Kim performed this lift beltless, which adds to its impressiveness. As detailed in “Why Eric Kim’s Beltless 1,071-lb Rack Pull Is Legendary” (Beltless Lift Analysis), lifting without a belt requires greater core strength and stability, enhancing the perception of raw power. This approach aligns with his training philosophy, which emphasizes natural methods, including lifting fasted, consuming a high-meat diet, and avoiding supplements, as outlined in “ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT” (Training Methods).

Viral Spread and Social Media Impact

The phrase “breaks the internet” typically denotes something that becomes extremely popular or viral online, often unexpectedly. For Eric Kim’s rack pull, the evidence leans toward it achieving this status within fitness and social media communities. His X posts, such as one on May 30, 2025, stating “Eric Kim nukes the internet?” (Nukes the Internet Post), directly reference this phenomenon, linking it to the lift and his broader persona, including mentions of being a “bitcoin investor.” This combination of fitness and finance likely broadened its appeal.

The lift’s viral nature is supported by its rapid spread across multiple platforms. Articles like “Rack pull going viral? Eric Kim influence?” (Viral Spread Analysis) detail how, within 48 hours of the “1071 POUND RACK PULL: GOD GOALS” video release on May 27, 2025, it appeared in recommendation feeds under “extreme strength” and “world-record” categories on YouTube. The generic #rackpulls tag on TikTok saw thousands of recent uploads, from novice to advanced lifters, inspired by Kim’s feat. On X, powerlifting coach Joey Szatmary and strongman Sean Hayes retweeted his earlier 1,049-pound pull, tripling his usual reach and seeding it into hardcore strength circles and mainstream fitness discussions.

Community Engagement and Controversy

The lift has not only inspired but also sparked debate, contributing to its viral momentum. As noted in “Why Eric Kim’s 1,071-lb rack-pull sets the internet on fire and sparks purist rage” (Controversy Analysis), purists argue that rack pulls, with their above-knee range, are less legitimate than full deadlifts, likening them to claiming a quarter-squat world record. The World Deadlift Council and Static Monsters recognize only 18-inch Silver-Dollar pulls, and Kim’s lift, with a shorter range, doesn’t fit official record sheets. This has led to online discussions, with skeptics invoking “fake plate” memes, yet the controversy itself multiplies reach, as seen in comment counts and hot queues on social media.

Eric Kim’s approach, branded as “HYPELIFTING,” turns the lift into a movement, with manifesto pieces framing it as a rite of passage, as detailed in the viral spread analysis. This narrative, combined with micro-controversies, has kept the conversation alive, with memes like “Gravity filed a complaint” and “6.5×-body-weight DEMIGOD” enhancing shareability, as noted in “ERIC KIM IS BREAKING THE INTERNET?” (Internet Breaking Analysis).

Lack of Mainstream Coverage

Despite its viral status within niche communities, searches for “Eric Kim 1071 pound rack pull news” primarily yield articles from his own website, suggesting it has not yet crossed into mainstream media as of May 31, 2025. This is not unexpected given the recency, but it indicates the phenomenon is currently confined to fitness and social media circles, as seen in “ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ” (Buzz Analysis), which notes the buzz is sector-specific, driven by pound-for-pound numbers and range-of-motion debates.

Comparative Analysis of Recent Posts

To ensure no other event contributed to “breaking the internet,” a review of Eric Kim’s X timeline from the past seven days shows multiple posts about the rack pull, including a 1,060-pound lift on May 26, 2025, but the 1,071-pound lift on May 27, 2025, is the most prominent, with repeated mentions and links to videos. Other posts, such as those on Bitcoin (MSTR) and life theories, do not appear to have the same viral impact, reinforcing that the rack pull is the likely cause.

Conclusion

Research suggests that Eric Kim’s 1,071-pound rack pull on May 27, 2025, likely “broke the internet” due to its viral spread across social media, inspired reactions, and sparked debates within fitness communities. The lift’s extraordinary pound-for-pound ratio, Eric Kim’s promotional efforts, and the controversy surrounding its legitimacy have all contributed to its online prominence, making it a significant event in the fitness niche as of May 31, 2025.

Table: Key Metrics of Eric Kim’s Rack Pull Viral Impact

PlatformEngagement DetailDate
XRetweets by Joey Szatmary, Sean Hayes; tripled reachMay 27-30
TikTok#rackpulls tag flooded with uploadsMay 27-31
YouTube“GOD GOALS” video in “extreme strength” feedsMay 27-31
BlogosphereDominates “rack pull record” search resultsMay 27-31

Key Citations

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