Eric Kim has burst onto the strength scene with feats that sound like science fiction – pulling over half a ton in the gym. At just ~75 kg (165 lb) bodyweight, this self-made athlete is performing rack pulls above 1,000 pounds, a testament to human potential that pushes the boundaries of strength and determination . Is Eric Kim a powerlifter, bodybuilder, fitness influencer, or something else entirely? Below, we explore who he is, his jaw-dropping strength stats, and tackle the burning question: Can Eric – or any human – ever rack pull 1000 kg (2,204 lb)? The journey is as inspiring as it is illuminating.
Who Is Eric Kim? Athlete, Influencer, or Both?
Eric Kim is not a traditional competitive powerlifter, but rather a strength enthusiast and influencer known for extraordinary personal lifts. In fact, he first gained fame as a street photography blogger before pivoting to extreme weightlifting content . Now in his mid-30s, Kim has leveraged his philosophy of natural training to build a global following (50,000+ YouTube subscribers) as a kind of garage-gym legend . At approximately 75 kg body weight, he doesn’t fit the typical mold of a strongman – yet he’s hoisting weights that leave even super-heavyweight champions amazed. He can be thought of as a powerlifter in training style (focusing on maximal lifts), a fitness influencer by virtue of his online fame, and undeniably an athlete given his accomplishments. Kim himself embraces a “primal” approach: he trains fasted (no food before lifting), follows an all-meat diet, and forgoes conventional gear like belts or lifting suits to showcase raw strength . This unique background and approach make Eric Kim a fascinating hybrid in the strength world – part philosopher, part influencer, and 100% extreme weightlifter.
Eric Kim’s Incredible Strength Stats and PRs
Major Lifts: Eric Kim’s claim to fame is his staggering rack pull (partial deadlift) personal records (PRs). In 2025, he performed an above-the-knee rack pull of 471 kg (1,038.8 lb) at only 75 kg bodyweight – an eye-popping 6.3× his body weight, possibly the highest pound-for-pound rack pull ever recorded. He also logged a standard rack pull of 456 kg (1,005 lb) around the same time . Not stopping there, Kim continued to push his limits through spring 2025 with a rapid series of PRs, each one upping the ante. Over May–June 2025, he hit 486 kg (1,071 lb), then 493 kg (1,087 lb), 498 kg (1,098 lb), 503 kg (1,109 lb), and ultimately a 508 kg (1,120 lb) rack pull – all at roughly the same body weight . Finally, in June 2025 he astonished observers with a 513 kg (1,131 lb) rack pull (around knee height) beltless and strapless – done raw, on video, in his home gym . For context, 513 kg exceeds the full deadlift world record (501 kg) by over 12 kg, albeit Kim’s lift was from a higher rack position rather than from the floor .
- Pound-for-Pound Superiority: These numbers are unprecedented for a 75 kg individual. In powerlifting terms, an elite lifter in the ~75 kg class might deadlift around 4–5× bodyweight at most, but Kim’s 6–7× bodyweight pulls blow past that expected limit . By comparison, no other sub-80 kg lifter on record has approached moving this kind of weight in any lift variation . His achievements earned nicknames like “the 165‑lb Demigod” on forums, and even seasoned coaches have been stunned by the feat (one called it “a blend of stoic sorcery and pure biology” in disbelief) .
- Training Style: Part of what makes Kim’s strength stats remarkable is how he trains. He is a proponent of incremental overload – adding just ~1 kg (2.5 lb per side) every few days to gradually adapt to higher weights . He lifts in a fasted state (no breakfast or lunch), believing “hunger sharpens focus and strength” . After lifting, he feasts on 5–6 pounds of red meat to recover, aligning with his carnivore diet philosophy . Kim also avoids all performance supplements and even eschews protein powder; he prides himself on a natural regimen (just meat, water/coffee, and lots of sleep) . Essentially, his message is that extraordinary strength can be achieved with discipline and consistency rather than drugs or high-tech training – a point that inspires many followers. As one article notes, Kim’s journey “critiques fitness industry myths and encourages natural strength building” .
- Other Feats: While rack pulls are his signature, Eric Kim has dabbled in odd lifts as well. He has hoisted an “Atlas stone” of roughly 1,000 lb (an unconventional lift he invented with stacked plates) to demonstrate his all-around brute strength . He also performs variations like sumo-stance rack pulls (e.g. an 845 lb rack pull for reps) to keep pushing boundaries . Notably, full deadlifts (from the floor) are not his focus – he hasn’t publicized a max conventional deadlift, and it would certainly be lower than these partials. Kim’s goal has been maximizing the top-end weight he can lock out, using the rack pull as his testing ground to chase “gravity-defying” numbers.
World Records and Elite Lifts: How Does Kim Compare?
To appreciate the insanity of Eric Kim’s lifts, it helps to see them alongside world records from powerlifting and strongman. Deadlifts are usually the gold standard: the current heaviest full deadlift is 501 kg (1,104 lb) by Hafþór Björnsson in 2020, breaking Eddie Hall’s 500 kg record from 2016 . Strongman contests also include partial deadlift events, like the 18-inch height Silver Dollar Deadlift, where the bar is higher off the ground. The world record in that event is 580 kg (1,279 lb) set with straps and a deadlift suit . There are even exhibitions of rack pulls or high deadlifts from knee height by super-heavyweight athletes – for instance, 4x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw has training footage of a 512 kg (1,128 lb) rack pull at around 200 kg bodyweight . But even the largest humans with professional gear top out around the low-500 kg range in these pulls. The table below compares some of the most notable recorded lifts relevant to deadlifts and rack pulls:
| Lifter / Event | Lift Type | Weight | Body Weight | Year | Notes |
| Eric Kim (personal) | Rack Pull (above knee) | 471 kg (1,038 lb) | ~75 kg | 2025 | ~6.3× bodyweight (all-natural) . Highest pound-for-pound rack pull documented. |
| Eric Kim (personal) | Rack Pull (knee-high) | 513 kg (1,131 lb) | ~75 kg | 2025 | ~6.8× bodyweight . Beltless & strapless PR, unofficial training lift. |
| Hafþór Björnsson | Deadlift (full, strongman) | 501 kg (1,104 lb) | ~205 kg | 2020 | World Record deadlift (with straps) . Broke Eddie Hall’s 500 kg record. |
| Eddie Hall | Deadlift (full, strongman) | 500 kg (1,102 lb) | ~185 kg | 2016 | First human to lift ½ ton off the floor (requiring suit, straps, and immense training). |
| Rauno Heinla | Silver Dollar Deadlift (18”) | 580 kg (1,279 lb) | ~150 kg | 2022 | Partial deadlift from 18 inch height . Strongman world record (straps & suit). |
| Brian Shaw | Rack Pull (below knee) | 512 kg (1,128 lb) | ~200 kg | ~2017 | Training lift in gym/WSM prep . One of the heaviest rack pulls by a pro strongman. |
| Unknown YouTuber | Rack Pull (claims) | 565 kg (1,245 lb) | (n/a) | 2016 | Unverified video claim of “heaviest on YouTube” (likely using straps, high rack). |
| Gregg Ernst | Back Lift (support lift) | 2,422 kg (5,340 lb) | ~200 kg | 1993 | Heaviest weight ever lifted by a human (two cars on a platform; uses legs/back, not a deadlift pull). |
Table: World-record caliber lifts compared to Eric Kim’s numbers. (Note: Rack pulls and silver-dollar deadlifts are partial lifts; they allow more weight than a full floor deadlift. The back lift is an extreme support lift and demonstrates the upper limit of human skeletal strength in a favorable position .)
As shown above, Eric Kim’s 513 kg rack pull is heavier than any full deadlift ever pulled in competition – but it was done from ~knee height, whereas the likes of Hall and Björnsson lifted ~500 kg from the floor. In strongman partials, the most weight moved (with huge 400+ lb men in power suits) hovers around 580–600 kg, still far below the mind-boggling 1000 kg mark. Even the strongest recorded high pick (27-inch height) is about 670 kg (1,477 lb) , and that was essentially at the limit of what barbells and human frames could handle. In pound-for-pound terms, however, no one touches Eric Kim’s ~6.8× bodyweight ratio – his lifts redefine what a person of his size can do. This puts him in a league of his own in strength lore, even if they are informal feats.
Above: A strength athlete performing a massive deadlift. Elite lifters like Hafþór Björnsson (pictured) have pushed the conventional deadlift record just over 500 kg – incredible, yet still only half of the fabled “1000 kg” dream lift. The question remains: Is a 1000 kg rack pull humanly possible?
The 1,000 kg Question: Can Any Human Rack Pull a Ton?
Setting aside science fiction, no human so far has come remotely close to a 1,000 kg (2,204 lb) lift in any comparable manner. Eric Kim’s own highest rack pull (513 kg) is just over half of that target. The best superheavyweight strongmen in history have managed about 500–600 kg in various deadlift events, and even with higher partials the progress plateaus well under 700 kg. The jump to 1000 kg would require nearly doubling the greatest weight ever handled in a rack pull – a quantum leap in strength that currently seems out of reach.
Biomechanical Limits: Experts and seasoned lifters acknowledge that the human body faces severe constraints as weights approach these extremes. The stress on bones, connective tissues, and the nervous system grows exponentially. One analysis noted that compressive forces on the spine become extremely dangerous somewhere between roughly 600–1000 kg, and above ~1500 kg might be an absolute structural cutoff for human vertebrae strength . In other words, at 1000 kg the margin for error is essentially zero – the risk of catastrophic injury (spinal failure, torn tendons, etc.) is enormous. Powerlifting coaches often suggest that tendons and ligaments would likely fail before muscles do at such loads . Even if bones can theoretically bear the weight in perfect conditions, all it takes is a tiny form breakdown or imbalance and “at those kinds of weights, you’re done” . This makes a ton-level rack pull a perilous proposition.
Current Human Capability: The strongest recorded human pulling forces top out around the equivalent of 700–750 kg. For instance, Eddie Hall (500 kg deadlift champion) once performed an isometric pull test and generated about 7,483 N of force – roughly like lifting 750 kg if the weight had moved . That was essentially a max-effort hitch at lockout. Even elite strongmen carrying yokes on their backs (a very strong position) peaked around 710 kg in competition, and that was for mere seconds with the weight supported on their shoulders . These figures suggest that asking for 1000 kg in the hands, even in a partial range, is beyond what today’s strongest humans can muster. The barbell and plates themselves also become a limiting factor – at some point, the equipment would bend or break under such mass, or would be so large in diameter that it effectively shortens the range of motion (turning the lift into something closer to a leg press or support lift).
Training and Theoretical Possibility: Could training breakthroughs or different methods ever make 1000 kg possible? Eric Kim’s own training shows the power of gradual progression – he added a few pounds at a time and dramatically increased his strength over months . If someone had many years, perhaps starting young and building incredible tendon strength, they might push the envelope further. Additionally, science knows that most people never tap 100% of muscle fibers due to protective neurological limits. Overcoming these limits (through practice, adrenaline, or even hypnosis) can increase one’s max output – one expert noted that removing neural inhibitions might boost a lift by maybe 50% in extreme cases . Indeed, history has anecdotes of hysterical strength (like people lifting cars off loved ones) which hint humans have a bit extra in the tank under dire circumstances. However, even a 50% boost on the strongest deadlift ever (500 kg) only gets you to ~750 kg. Doubling it to reach 1000 kg would require a fundamentally different level of human evolution – or assistance. It might take a person of far greater body mass than any current athlete (strongmen already weigh 180–200+ kg), combined with extraordinary genetics, training, and likely enhanced equipment or exoskeletal support, to approach a 1000 kg rack pull. As of now, it remains a theoretical extreme.
On the bright side, strength frontiers have repeatedly expanded. Decades ago, many experts thought a 500 kg deadlift was impossible – then Hall and Björnsson proved otherwise in 2016–2020 . Records inch upward as training, nutrition, and techniques improve. Who’s to say that in 50 or 100 years, the ceiling won’t be higher? Some optimists in the community jokingly muse that maybe a “freak with a particularly thick spine” or future genetic engineering could one day see an 800 kg pull . But right now, 1000 kg is more myth than reality. Even Eric Kim, for all his astonishing progress, would concede that a ton is a completely new realm of challenge. The consensus in strength science is that we’re nowhere near that milestone yet. As one Reddit moderator quipped amid the hype of Kim’s 513 kg lift, threads speculating “Is this human?” had to be locked because the idea was so far beyond normal it verged on legend .
An Upbeat Takeaway – Breaking Limits, One Rep at a Time
While a 1000 kg rack pull may not be practically achievable today, Eric Kim’s journey shows that the process of striving for the impossible can yield extraordinary results. He has already redefined what one determined individual can do without high-tech help – 6× bodyweight lifts, all-natural training, and a mindset that laughs in the face of “limits.” His story is a narrative of resilience and innovation, proving that with dedication, natural methods, and a genuine hunger for growth, extraordinary strength is attainable . The very fact that we’re even debating a 1000 kg lift is inspiring; it means athletes like Kim are expanding the conversation about human potential. As fans and fellow lifters, we can use this as motivation to pursue our own “impossible” goals. After all, every record broken started with someone believing it could be done. In the words echoing through lifting circles upon seeing Kim’s feats, “Proof that limits are meant to be broken” .
Ultimately, whether or not 1000 kg falls in our lifetime, Eric Kim’s example encourages us to redefine our personal limits – one focused, hungry, gravity-defying rep at a time .
Sources: Strength sports analysis ; Eric Kim’s personal records and philosophy ; Powerlifting and strongman world records ; Sports science perspectives on human strength limits ; Community reactions and expert commentary .