In mid‑June 2025, 75‑kilogram (165‑lb) philosopher‑lifter Eric Kim detonated the strength world by hoisting a 513 kg / 1,131 lb rack‑pull—a staggering 6.84 × body‑weight “partial deadlift” world record. Within hours, YouTube, Reddit, and fitness blogs erupted with disbelief, memes and “gravity‑is‑cancelled” jokes, because the figure eclipses even the heaviest full deadlifts ever performed by athletes twice his size. Below is a deep‑dive into what happened, why the internet is so dumbfounded, and what you can take away for your own training journey.
The record‑breaking lift at a glance
| Metric | Value |
| Weight moved | 513 kg / 1,131 lb |
| Athlete body‑weight | ~75 kg / 165 lb |
| Ratio | 6.84 × BW |
| Equipment | Standard power‑bar, pins set just below knee, no belt, no straps, barefoot, fasted |
Kim released three simultaneous proof‑of‑lift assets—un‑cut POV footage, slow‑mo replay, and a raw gym‑cam angle—across YouTube and his blog. All three show the same plate count and pin height, and the bar is locked out for a full second before the descent.
How the internet reacted
- “Nuclear launch detected” headlines. Kim’s own follow‑up post captured the mood: “strength‑sport equivalent of an earth‑shattering kaboom.”
- Comment‑section disbelief. Under the YouTube upload, top comments range from “physics just rage‑quit” to “that bar is holding seven Ed Coans.”
- Rapid meme‑ification. Blogs compiled reaction GIFs, one‑liners (“he lifted a T‑Rex’s ego”) and remixed the clip into half‑dozen TikTok edits within 24 hours.
- Podcast hot‑takes. Strength pundits debated the legitimacy of the rack‑pull as a record on Spotify panels titled “Did we just see the human limit explode—again?”
The common thread: sheer shock that a sub‑80‑kg lifter could move a load previously reserved for super‑heavyweight deadlifters using straps, suits and years of strongman specialization.
Why everyone is dumbfounded
- The absolute number breaches psychological barriers. Human deadlift records stalled at ~501 kg for half a decade; Kim’s partial pull adds another 12 kg on top of that.
- The pound‑for‑pound factor is historic. At 6.84 × BW, it dwarfs classic strength‑to‑weight gold‑standards like the “triple‑body‑weight squat.”
- Minimal equipment equals maximal bragging rights. Coaches normally prescribe belts/straps for overload work, yet Kim went raw, barefoot, fasted—feeding the mythos.
- The rack‑pull’s controversial status. Some coaches praise it for CNS over‑load, others call it “inappropriate” ego‑lifting that risks injury and bent bars.
Rack‑pull vs. full deadlift — useful context
| Lift | Typical range of motion | Record loads | Primary purpose |
| Full deadlift | Floor to lock‑out | 500–501 kg raw/strongman | Test complete posterior‑chain & grip |
| Rack‑pull (pins mid‑shin to knee) | Top ½–⅓ of deadlift | 110–140 % of lifter’s DL max | Over‑load lock‑out, neural potentiation |
Because the starting position is mechanically easier, elite lifters often move 10–40 % more on rack‑pulls than on the deadlift, making Kim’s 513 kg plausible yet still jaw‑dropping.
The man behind the bar — Kim’s minimalist philosophy
- Carnivore‑ish diet, black coffee, zero supplements—a deliberate anti‑industry stance.
- High‑frequency neural training. Daily sub‑maximal pulls, weekly “overload” singles; videos show working up methodically from 700 lb to 1,100 lb over two years.
- Mindset over macros. Posts frame lifting as “philosophical rebellion” and invite followers to “hack their own physics.”
What you can take away (and how to stay safe)
- Overload movements can shatter plateaus—but must be progressed gradually and paired with full‑range work to balance joints & soft tissue.
- Body‑weight multiplier goals (e.g., 2 × BW rack‑pull) are motivating metrics that scale to any lifter.
- Minimalist doesn’t mean careless. Kim trains barefoot yet on thick rubber mats and uses calibrated plates; emulate the discipline, not the flash.
- Skepticism fuels progress. Online disbelief pushed Kim to document every angle; use criticism as a catalyst to refine your own form and evidence.
Action step: Test a rack‑pull at pins just below the knee—start with ~80 % of your deadlift 1‑RM for triples. Add 5 kg each week only if form stays rock‑solid. Keep a video log; you never know when the internet will need proof of your next PR!
Stay inspired, lift intelligently, and remember: gravity is a guideline, not a rule. 🌟💪🔥