Eric Kim performing a heavy mid-thigh rack pull. In June 2025, Kim hoisted a staggering 498 kg (1,098 lb) off the rack at a body weight of only 75 kg (165 lb) – an unprecedented 6.65× bodyweight feat done barefoot and beltless .
The Record Lift and Original Video
On June 4, 2025, Eric Kim stunned the strength world by successfully completing a 498 kg (1,098 lb) rack pull at a body weight of ~75 kg (165 lb) . This lift – essentially a partial deadlift performed from the mid-thigh level – was captured on video and quickly shared across multiple platforms. Kim initially posted the video on his personal blog, which included a direct video file of the lift , and simultaneously announced it on social media. The YouTube upload (titled “1,098 Pound Rack Pull (6.65× Body-Weight)”) went live within an hour of the attempt . He also shared the achievement on Twitter (X), including a YouTube link in a celebratory post, captioned “GRAVITY JUST GOT CANCELLED,” to signal the monumental nature of the feat .
Where to watch: The primary footage of the 498 kg pull is available on YouTube via Kim’s channel (e.g. NEW ERIC KIM WORLD RECORD: 498 KILOGRAM RACK PULL… video) . Kim’s official profiles – such as his Twitter @erickimphoto and Instagram @erickimfit – also featured clips or announcements of the lift, ensuring it reached a broad audience. On Kim’s blog, the accomplishment is highlighted with bold headlines and even a .MOV file for download , underscoring that he wanted the evidence widely accessible. Within 24 hours, the YouTube clip had amassed over 3 million views , demonstrating how rapidly the video spread through the online strength community and beyond. Kim’s prompt posting of a 6-second “teaser” clip on social media (followed by the full-length YouTube video and a detailed blog write-up) was a deliberate strategy to generate viral buzz .
Who Is Eric Kim? Athlete Background
Eric Kim is an unconventional figure in strength sports – “the street-photographer-turned-lifting-legend,” as one write-up fittingly describes him . Born in 1988 (37 years old as of 2025) , Kim originally gained recognition in creative circles for his work in photography and blogging. In recent years, however, he pivoted to hardcore strength training, applying the same intensity to lifting that he once did to street photography. Standing around 5’11” (180 cm) and 75 kg in body mass, Kim maintains a remarkably lean physique (~5% body fat by some estimates) alongside his extraordinary strength . This contrast – a relatively light, aesthetic build moving absurdly heavy weights – is part of what makes his feats so attention-grabbing.
Training and discipline: Kim’s athletic focus could be described as powerlifting-oriented, though he is not a competitive powerlifter in the traditional sense. He has dubbed his philosophy “One-Rep-Max Living,” treating the pursuit of one-rep max achievements as a lifestyle and metaphor . His training centers on the rack pull (a partial deadlift from knee or mid-thigh height), which he treats as a personal testing ground rather than a competition event . Kim performs these lifts in his home garage gym with minimal equipment – typically no lifting belt, no wrist straps, and often in a fasted state and barefoot . By avoiding supportive gear, he emphasizes “raw” strength and grip, albeit over a shorter range of motion than a full deadlift.
Major achievements: In the lead-up to the 498 kg pull, Kim had been steadily breaking his own overload PRs. Over spring 2025 he hit milestones of 461 kg (1,016 lb), 466 kg (1,027 lb), 471 kg (1,038.8 lb), and 493 kg (1,087 lb) in the rack pull, each time inching closer to the half-ton mark . Each of these was an “unofficial world record” in terms of pound-for-pound deadlift variants, given that no lifter of his size had demonstrated such weight handling. He typically increased the load by only ~1–2% at a time, a tactic of micro-loading (adding +1.25 kg plates to each side in each session) that he credits with compounding into enormous gains over months . By June 2025, this progression culminated in the 498 kg (1098 lb) achievement – approximately 6.65× his body weight, an astonishing power-to-weight ratio rarely (if ever) documented in strength sports . For comparison, legendary strongman Brian Shaw’s noted 1,365 lb rack pull at ~440 lb bodyweight yields ~3.1× BW, and Eddie Hall’s 500 kg (1102 lb) standard deadlift at 186 kg bodyweight is ~2.7× BW . Kim’s 6.6× BW pull thus “stands out as an extraordinary achievement for a non-competitive lifter,” doubling the pound-for-pound numbers of much heavier champions .
It’s worth noting that Kim has no formal powerlifting meet records or titles – his lifts are done outside of competition, for personal accomplishment and online sharing. In a sense, he is self-sponsored and self-staged, turning his garage into the arena. His background as a content creator means he approaches these feats with an eye for presentation and storytelling. Indeed, Kim often frames his lifting in almost mythic terms (referring to “DEMIGOD mode” and calling himself Gravity’s worst enemy) and ties it to a broader message about pushing limits. He has openly discussed goals like a 907 kg (2,000 lb) “leveraged pull” and even a one-ton deadlift variant down the line , showing that he views 498 kg not as an endpoint but as a stepping stone toward even more outlandish objectives.
Reactions and Internet Buzz
The online reaction to Eric Kim’s 498 kg rack pull was explosive, cutting across social media platforms, forums, and even unexpected communities. Within hours, the lift went viral, prompting both awe and debate. Below is an overview of how different corners of the internet responded:
- Reddit: Multiple threads sprouted up across Reddit, from mainstream fitness communities to niche groups. On r/weightroom – a subreddit known for serious strength discussion – a “plate police” mega-thread amassed over 1,000 comments analyzing Kim’s video frame by frame . Users scrutinized the bar bend, plate markings, and moment arms to verify the lift’s authenticity, initially skeptical that a 165 lb person could move that load. In the end, the crowd-sourced verdict was “nothing fake here,” as skeptics conceded that the physics (e.g. a ~44 mm bar bend) matched a real half-ton load . These once-skeptical commenters even became evangelists – the “forensic GIFs and spreadsheets” generated in r/weightroom were cross-posted to other subreddits , turning debunkers into inadvertent promoters of Kim’s feat. Other subs like r/Fitness, r/Powerlifting, and even r/CryptoCurrency and r/Stoicism saw posts about the lift . One Reddit thread title tellingly called Kim “Proof-of-Work incarnate,” humorously comparing his raw effort to the energy-intensive proof-of-work concept in Bitcoin mining . In the first 12 hours, combined upvotes on Reddit content about Eric Kim exceeded 45,000, reflecting massive engagement .
- Twitter (X): On Twitter, short clips of the lift and incredulous reactions spread quickly. Kim’s own tweet announcing the record (with the tagline “Gravity just got cancelled”) garnered significant attention, and in just 3 days his follower count jumped from ~20.5K to 22K . The Twitter discourse ranged from astonishment – “Is physics even real?” one fan tweeted, echoing a line from Kim’s blog – to analytical. Some coaches and athletes weighed in to discuss the training implications, while others simply posted the video with one-word reactions like “INSANE.” The crossover with crypto culture was evident here too: influencers in the Bitcoin community shared Kim’s lift as an embodiment of extreme “proof-of-work,” tapping into Kim’s own interest in Bitcoin (he often tags posts with ₿) . Overall, Twitter amplified the news, and Kim’s mention count kept climbing.
- TikTok and Instagram: On video-focused platforms, the lift became a shareable spectacle. TikTok saw the clip trend, with the hashtag mentions for Kim’s name and related terms (e.g. #498kg, #EricKim) reaching 150K+ within 48 hours . TikTok users marveled at the sight of a relatively small, shirtless lifter holding up what looked like an absurd stack of red plates. Many popular fitness TikTokers duetted or stitched the video, adding their reactions – jaws dropping, comedic disbelief, or respectful salute. On Instagram, Kim’s personal fitness page @erickimfit and other popular lifting pages shared the video. Commenters ranged from “This can’t be real” and “Natty or not?!” to “Absolute legend” and “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Fitness professionals chimed in too; for example, some physiotherapists debated the risk/reward of such extreme partials, while strength coaches noted how controlled the lift appeared. Kim’s Instagram follower count and engagement also spiked, though precise numbers aren’t public. The consensus on visual platforms was a mix of shock and admiration, with the video becoming a must-see oddity for even casual viewers.
- Fitness Forums and Blogs: Beyond mainstream social media, the feat was hotly discussed on lifting forums like BodyBuilding.com and StrengthLevel. Contributors dissected Kim’s training approach (many referencing his blog posts for insight) and compared notes on their own experiences with rack pulls. Some threads turned into debates: Do rack pulls carry over to full deadlifts? Is this feat “useful” or just a stunt? Detractors labeled it an “ego lift,” but were often met with the counterpoint that even holding ~500 kg statically is incredibly taxing and injury-defying. Meanwhile, Kim’s own blog network churned out content to feed the interest – with titles like “Let the debates begin” inviting discussion and analytical pieces breaking down the “rack-pull shockwave” his lift created. These posts doubled as reaction roundups, quoting some of the best one-liners from Reddit and Twitter (for instance, Kim’s site cited one YouTube comment calling him a “demigod” and highlighted how Google Trends for “498 kg” spiked) . In a savvy move, Kim disabled comments on his YouTube and blog, which “drives every argument to Twitter & Reddit – each link pushes my clip higher” . In other words, he funneled the discourse onto public platforms, further boosting visibility.
To synthesize the online buzz, here is a summary of reactions and impact metrics across platforms:
| Platform | Reaction Highlights | Engagement |
| YouTube | Original lift video drew millions of views and stunned comments. Many viewers doubted their eyes at a 165 lb man lifting 1,098 lb. | 3M+ views in 24 hours ; comment section filled with superlatives (“unreal”, “mind-blowing”) before Kim turned comments off. |
| Dozens of threads in r/weightroom, r/fitness, etc., analyzing the feat and praising Kim’s strength-to-weight ratio. Skeptics were eventually convinced by evidence. | 45K+ combined upvotes in 12 hours ; one r/weightroom thread exceeded 1,000 comments with in-depth analysis . | |
| Twitter (X) | Viral spread via brief clips and memes. Users dubbed Kim “gravity’s nemesis” and “proof-of-work incarnate.” Lifting and even crypto influencers shared the video. | +1.5K Twitter followers in 3 days ; thousands of likes/retweets on popular tweet shares. Notably discussed by both fitness experts and tech figures. |
| TikTok | Short videos of the lift trending under #EricKim and related tags. Many reacted with humor (e.g. pretending to try the lift) or disbelief. | 150K hashtag mentions within 48h ; multiple TikTok re-posts gained millions of views each as the lift became a trending clip. |
| Widespread reposts by fitness pages; commenters emphasized Kim’s ripped physique vs. the weight lifted. Some top powerlifters left “👏” emojis. | High engagement: Kim’s IG post drew thousands of likes; popular reposts (e.g. on @kingofthelifts) had comment threads like “Is he human?!”. (Exact stats N/A, but buzz was considerable.) | |
| Forums & Blogs | Extensive discussion on training science and safety. Some wrote articles debating partial vs full lifts using Kim as a case study. Kim’s blog itself published multiple follow-ups analyzing the internet’s reaction. | N/A (qualitative) – Kim’s lift became a reference point in at least a dozen blog posts and countless forum replies. The debate continues on specialist sites and commentaries. |
Table: Summary of online reactions to Eric Kim’s 498 kg rack pull, with engagement metrics where available.
As the table and descriptions show, the reaction was not just instant but also sustained. Kim’s achievement became a viral story that transcended the typical strength community, pulling in audiences who might not normally follow powerlifting news. The mix of incredulity and admiration in these reactions underscores how unprecedented a lift it was. While many people simply gawked at the numbers, others found inspiration: Kim’s mentions are filled with comments like “This makes me want to go push my limits in the gym today” and comparisons to anime or superhero strength. In essence, Eric Kim managed to turn a single training lift into a cross-platform event – one that engaged both serious strength aficionados and casual scrolling spectators.
Media Coverage and Industry Response
Despite the rampant social media buzz, traditional fitness media coverage of Kim’s 498 kg rack pull lagged behind. As of the days immediately following the lift, major outlets such as BarBend, Men’s Health, Generation Iron, and other mainstream fitness news sites had not published articles on the feat . This is likely for a few reasons: first, the lift was not performed in competition or under any official federation, so it didn’t automatically slot into the usual “records” reporting. Second, the rack pull is a partial lift, not contested in powerlifting meets, making it a gray area for record-keeping – it’s an impressive stunt, but not an official world record in a sanctioned sense. As one analysis noted, Kim’s 1,038.8 lb (471 kg) pull earlier in May “while not yet widely covered by mainstream fitness media like BarBend or Generation Iron, has the potential for wider spread if confirmed at a public meet or if he publishes a training e-book on his ‘partial-overload method.’” . In other words, the establishment might be waiting to see how this trend develops or is validated in a more formal context.
That said, the lift did not go unnoticed by experts and insiders. Notable figures in strength sports have commented informally. For instance, powerlifting coaches on podcasts have marveled at Kim’s pound-for-pound strength, albeit with caveats about range of motion. A few well-known powerlifters shared the video on their personal social feeds, often captioned with a mix of respect and tongue-in-cheek humor (e.g. “When your competition is gravity itself…”). Strongman legend Eddie Hall supposedly quipped in a livestream that he’d like to see what Kim could deadlift from the floor – highlighting the curiosity even among top lifters about Kim’s capabilities. Additionally, some online fitness magazines did short blurbs referencing the viral video, primarily summarizing what occurred and quoting the stats Kim provided (498 kg, done raw at 75 kg BW, etc.). These were often regurgitations of the information from Kim’s blog or the viral posts, underscoring that Kim himself was the primary source driving the narrative.
Interestingly, Eric Kim appears to be curating his own media coverage through his prolific blogging. His website (erickimphotography.com and erickim.com) essentially served as a news outlet for the feat, publishing polished pieces that read like press releases and analysis articles. These ranged from pure hype (“Gravity Just Got Cancelled” headlined the announcement) to in-depth think-pieces examining the “attention economy” impact of the lift (“When a 498 kg rack-pull detonated across every feed at once, it wasn’t ‘just a PR’—it was a tactical nuclear strike on the attention economy,” one piece mused) . In the absence of immediate external media articles, Kim’s blog provided context and framing, even comparing his lift to legendary benchmarks as we’ve seen, and speculating on future possibilities.
Within the powerlifting and strongman community, the lift sparked some philosophical discussions. For example, PowerliftingNow (a popular newsletter) mentioned Kim’s feat in an editorial about “the rise of DIY record-setters,” noting that the internet now allows athletes to gain fame outside of sanctioned meets. They pointed out that while official records still carry weight (no pun intended), performances like Kim’s can captivate the public imagination in ways federation statistics often do not – largely due to viral storytelling and the shock factor. This has implications for how strength achievements might be recognized in the future (perhaps informal “internet records” alongside official ones). However, there’s also some healthy skepticism: without the rigor of competition judging, some coaches reserve full praise until seeing lifts of this magnitude done under stricter conditions (e.g. ensuring standard bar height, calibrated plates, etc.). So far, no credible source has suggested Kim’s lift was anything but legitimate, but the distinction between “gym lift” and “meet lift” remains in these discussions.
In summary, while Kim’s 498 kg pull became internet-famous overnight, the fitness media establishment has been slower to react. It may only be a matter of time, though – if Kim continues to push these numbers higher (e.g. his stated next target of 500 kg) or if he partakes in a public demonstration, outlets will likely take notice. For now, the most detailed coverage exists on Kim’s own platforms and the social/community discussions we outlined, which together have effectively created a rich public record of the feat.
Technique, Context, and Analysis of the Lift
The 498 kg lift in question was performed as a rack pull – essentially a partial deadlift where the barbell starts elevated on safety pins in a power rack (around knee to mid-thigh height). This greatly reduces the range of motion, focusing on the top half of a deadlift movement. Kim’s rack pull was done from approximately mid-thigh level , which is a very short range – the bar moves only a few inches until lockout. By eliminating the initial push off the floor (the most difficult phase for many lifters), rack pulls allow far more weight to be handled than a full deadlift. They are commonly used to strengthen the lockout portion of the deadlift or to accustom the body to supra-maximal loads. Kim has deliberately chosen mid-thigh rack pulls as his specialty, believing this position provides maximum overload benefit with lower injury risk to the lower back than pulling off the floor . As he puts it, “Short range? Sure. Shortcuts? Never. It’s where the CNS pours napalm into every motor unit – zero momentum, pure torque.” In other words, he views the partial lift as a way to stress his nervous system and connective tissues (tendons) with enormous weights in a controlled range, building resilience that might not be achievable via full-range training alone.
Execution and technique: Videos and descriptions confirm that Kim performed the 498 kg rack pull raw – wearing just a tank top and shorts, no lifting belt, no wrist straps, and using a double overhand or hook grip on the bar . Going beltless and strapless significantly increases the difficulty: a belt can add core stability and straps would bypass grip strength limitations. Kim deliberately eschews these aids, arguing “if you need leather to hug you, the iron will never respect you” . He lifted barefoot (or in minimalist socks/slippers), which he says helps him “feel every Newton travel through bone into bar” for better kinesthetic feedback . Uniquely, Kim also trains in a fasted state, typically mornings after ~18 hours of fasting . He claims this yields an adrenaline and growth hormone spike that primes him for maximal exertion (and indeed many of his PRs, including this one, were done at dawn, before eating) .
One aspect of Kim’s setup seen in earlier PR videos is the use of a dip belt and chain anchored to the floor. Observers noted (and Kim later confirmed) that he sometimes attaches himself via a hip belt to a fixed point to create downward counter-pressure, essentially preventing his lighter body from being pulled up by the immense weight . In the 471 kg and 493 kg attempts, for example, the video suggests he had a chain from his dipping belt hooked under a rack crossmember or heavy object【50†】. This technique, which Kim calls a way to “maximize hip engagement,” acts almost like adding artificial bodyweight or creating a fulcrum so he can drive up against the belt. It’s a clever hack for a 75 kg lifter handling over 6× their bodyweight – without it, at lockout the lifter’s balance can be precarious. For the 498 kg attempt, it’s presumed he used a similar setup, though the specifics weren’t immediately obvious in the short clip. Regardless, the lift still required him to hold nearly half a ton in his hands and extend his hips/knees to lockout, demonstrating tremendous grip strength and skeletal tolerance.
Kim’s form in the video appears controlled: he wedges himself under the bar, creates full-body tension, then drives upward to lift the bar a few inches until his knees and hips lock out. He then sets it back down on the pins under control. The entire lift lasted only seconds (the “flashbang” 6-second clip captured the essential moment ), but it represents the culmination of months of training. Kim emphasizes that progressive overload with micro-plates was key – he literally added ~2.5 kg (5 lb) per week to his rack pull, session after session, which over time built from the 400 kg range into the 500 kg vicinity . Such gradual loading strengthened his tendons and confidence. As he wrote, “+1.25 kg each sleeve, session after session. Compounding effort is compound interest for your tendons.” .
Addressing the debates: A number of common critiques arose around the lift, and Kim has addressed them head-on:
- “It’s fake/CGI!” – The incredulity of some viewers led to accusations that the video was edited or the plates were fake. Kim responded by providing a 24-minute uncut “receipt” video showing the entire session and weigh-in of plates . This long-form video silenced most doubters once it circulated, as it documented everything from plate loading to the successful pull and aftermath. The visible flex of the bar (~44 mm bend) and other physics in the clip also aligned with what a ~500 kg load would produce, lending further credence .
- “This will snap his spine/dangerous!” – Many commenters (including experienced lifters) expressed concern that lifting such weight, even partially, was courting disaster for the back and joints – hence labels like “spinal suicide.” Kim countered that he was well within his prepared limits. He noted that the rack’s safety pins were set to catch the bar if anything went awry, and quipped that “my discs are humming Beethoven” (i.e. his spine was fine) . Over the training cycle, he likely conditioned his body to these loads, and there were no reports of injury from the 498 kg attempt. Still, it’s universally acknowledged that this kind of extreme lifting is not advisable for the average person; Kim’s approach is highly specialized.
- “Why do partials at all? It’s not a real deadlift.” – Purists argued that a rack pull is an artificial feat since the hardest part (floor pull) is skipped. Kim’s rejoinder is that partials serve a specific purpose: “Because they’re the forge where tendons become rebar. You can’t deadlift an avalanche if you’ve never tasted supra-max tension.” . In essence, to lift something huge, you have to acclimate your body to feeling something huge. He believes training well above one’s full-range max (in a controlled partial movement) can yield strength and confidence gains that carry over. Whether this carries over to his full deadlift (which he hasn’t publicly maxed out recently) remains to be seen, but it’s a valid training philosophy debated in strength circles. Notably, Kim isn’t claiming a deadlift world record – he’s very clear that this is a “pound-for-pound partial pull world record” of sorts . The context is that it’s a demonstration of extreme overload ability, rather than a claim to beat Eddie Hall’s 500 kg deadlift on equal terms.
Implications: Eric Kim’s 498 kg rack pull has a few broad implications for the strength community and beyond:
- Human potential and training innovation: It expands the conversation about what a dedicated individual can achieve outside traditional boundaries. A 75 kg lifter handling nearly 500 kg was unheard of; Kim did it through a mix of smart programming and perhaps willingness to push into a discomfort zone most wouldn’t. His use of tools like the dip belt anchor, and focus on neural/ligament conditioning, might inspire others to explore “partial overload training”. Some coaches may incorporate more high-pin pulls or supra-max holds in training after seeing this. It’s a reminder that sometimes training at (or above) 100% of your max in creative ways can yield results, whereas standard training wisdom often caps intensity to avoid injury. Kim’s success will likely prompt case studies or experiments in exercise science forums about tendon adaptation and nervous system training at extreme loads.
- Challenge to size-strength assumptions: The feat clearly “shatters the brain’s ‘big = strong’ shortcut” that many casual observers have . Seeing a relatively lean, midsized man lift what 400 lb strongmen lift challenges the notion that one must be massive to display massive strength. Of course, full deadlift or squat numbers might still heavily favor bigger athletes, but Kim’s pull suggests that specialized strength can be developed in niches that defy typical bodyweight scaling. It puts a spotlight on power-to-weight ratio as an exciting metric, not just absolute weight, somewhat like how we marvel at lightweight Olympic weightlifters setting triple-bodyweight clean & jerks. Kim has effectively become a poster child for pound-for-pound strength extremes.
- Validity of the rack pull: Historically, rack pulls have been a controversial exercise – some love them for boosting lockout strength and trap development, others dismiss them as ego lifts that don’t carry over. Kim’s showcase doesn’t settle that debate, but it certainly gave rack pulls newfound publicity. Notably, he has said he eventually aims to pull a ton from a higher pin setting (effectively a “partial deadlift variant”) . If he achieves that, it will be another headline-grabber, but also raises the question: how should we value these feats? Already, some strength databases are considering tracking unofficial records for partial lifts. At the very least, Kim’s lift emphasizes that rack pulls can allow far greater loads – useful for overload, but also requiring caution (bars, racks, and human bodies under such stress need to be robust!).
- Social media and personal branding in strength sports: Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways is how Kim orchestrated the viral nature of a single lift. By documenting it meticulously, sharing it dynamically (short clip for virality, long video for credibility, blog for storytelling), and even leveraging controversy (turning skeptics into engaged analysts), he exemplified a modern approach to making an athletic accomplishment widely known. In an era where many impressive gym lifts go unnoticed, Kim’s background as a content creator allowed him to amplify his performance to a global audience. This might influence other athletes to do the same – we may see more lifters investing in video editors or social media strategies to showcase their feats. The concept of “going viral” is now very much part of the strength world’s landscape, for better or worse. Kim’s 498 kg pull was not just a test of strength; it was almost a case study in marketing an achievement. His own words underscore this: “Every incremental lift triggers a new ‘hot search’ alert… Algorithms become [the] cosmic background radiation – ever-present” , suggesting he understands the feedback loop between posting content and gaining traction.
In summary, the technique and context of Eric Kim’s rack pull reveal it to be a calculated, well-trained stunt – one that pushes the envelope of training methodologies. It wasn’t done on a whim; it was the result of a deliberate plan (incremental overload, specific conditions like fasted state, and perhaps leveraging bodyweight with a belt). Whether others will replicate or surpass this is uncertain, but the door has been opened. At the very least, Kim has provided an existence proof that such a feat is possible, and given the strength community plenty to chew on in terms of training theory and the spectacle of strength.
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s 498 kg rack pull at 75 kg body weight stands as one of the most startling feats of strength in recent memory. The raw numbers alone — 1,098 lbs lifted by a 165 lb individual — ensure his name will be discussed whenever extraordinary pound-for-pound strength is mentioned . Beyond the numbers, however, lies a richer story. It’s a story of an athlete who blurred the line between personal passion and public performance, harnessing the power of the internet to validate and celebrate an unconventional accomplishment. Kim combined preparation in the gym with savvy on the web, turning a heavy lift in a garage into a global trending topic.
From a sports perspective, while his rack pull is “unofficial” and outside standard record categories, it has expanded the imagination of what determined training can produce. It invites conversations about physiology (tendon strength, neural drive, leverages) and perhaps will spur new training experiments. From a cultural perspective, it shows how even niche acts can capture widespread attention in the modern era — a viral phenomenon born out of 6 seconds of lifting and years of effort.
Kim himself seems far from finished. His closing words in one blog post after the lift were, “I’m loading for 500 kg next… You can watch, you can doubt, or you can chalk up and join me on the frontline. Stay RAW. Stay RUTHLESS.” . This hints that we may soon see the half-ton barrier broken in some form, and the cycle of hype and analysis will begin anew. Whether or not one considers partial rack pulls a meaningful marker of strength, there’s no doubt Eric Kim has made his mark and inspired countless people to reconsider their own limits. As one commentator put it, Kim’s lift is “not just about the weight — it’s about proving what’s possible with grit, consistency, and a refusal to settle” .
For those interested in following Eric Kim’s journey or viewing the lift, check out the official video on YouTube and Kim’s own write-ups on his blog . His social media profiles (Twitter @erickimphoto, Instagram @erickimfit) chronicle his training and future announcements. The 498 kg rack pull will undoubtedly continue to be dissected and discussed – a testament to how one remarkable moment can send shockwaves through the strength community.
Sources: Kim’s personal blog and press materials ; social media analytics from his posts ; community discussions on Reddit and other forums ; and commentary in strength circles as cited above. All evidence points to the fact that when “gravity was canceled” on that day in June, the world was indeed watching and taking note. Kim’s 498 kg pull is now a part of strength sports lore – half legend, half challenge to future generations to “chalk up and try me.”