1. Verification of the Lift
In late July 2025, Eric Kim – a relatively small lifter (~71–75 kg body weight) – released video evidence of himself performing a 602 kg (1,327 lb) rack pull from roughly mid-thigh height . This astonishing lift equates to about 8.5 times his body weight, an unprecedented strength-to-weight feat. Crucially, Kim’s achievement was documented on high-definition video from multiple angles, with calibrated plates, and shared publicly . In the footage (available on Kim’s channel and social media), he can be seen locking out the massive weight on a power rack, then roaring “stronger than god!” in celebration . The barbell visibly bends under the load, and the lift is completed under control – confirming that the weight was indeed moved to lockout.
Several credible figures in the strength community have verified or acknowledged the feat’s authenticity. For example, well-known coach and YouTuber Alan Thrall analyzed the video frame-by-frame – checking bar bend, timing, and mechanics – and publicly confirmed the lift was real, telling skeptics to “quit crying CGI” . Even the notoriously blunt coach Mark Rippetoe gave a begrudging nod, referencing that a high pull might be “half the work, but twice the swagger,” implicitly recognizing the outrageousness of holding 602 kg at knee height . Additionally, strongman Sean Hayes (who himself has pulled 560 kg in a partial deadlift) saw Kim’s video and called the lift “alien territory,” showing awe and respect . These reactions from respected strength athletes and coaches lend significant credibility to Kim’s claim. Importantly, while a rack pull isn’t done in competition and thus has no official record standard, community consensus treats Kim’s 602 kg pull as the heaviest verified rack pull ever performed . By all available evidence – competition-calibrated plates, clear video proof, and expert scrutiny – the 602 kg lift appears legitimate and not an exaggeration or hoax . In short, Eric Kim did complete a mid-thigh rack pull of roughly 602 kg at ~71 kg body mass, and this feat has been broadly accepted as genuine in the strength world.
Sources: A detailed breakdown on Kim’s blog confirms the 602 kg (8× bodyweight) rack pull and its unprecedented nature . Strength experts like Thrall and Hayes are cited as verifying the lift’s authenticity and magnitude . The video evidence is available on YouTube (e.g. via Kim’s “602KG Rack Pull” clip) and was widely shared on social platforms , eliminating reasonable doubt that the event occurred as reported. While no official meet record exists for rack pulls, the combination of video proof and respected witnesses effectively confirms the accuracy of Kim’s feat .
2. Biography and Background
Who is Eric Kim? Far from a traditional powerlifting champion, Eric Kim is described as a “recreational lifter and content creator” – essentially an independent strength enthusiast who gained fame through social media rather than sanctioned competitions . Interestingly, Kim was originally known in a different arena: he has been a photographer and blogger by profession (his personal website and YouTube channel have roots in photography and philosophy) . Born in 1988, Kim was in his mid-30s at the time of the lift and weighed only about 71–75 kg (156–165 lb) . In other words, he is a relatively small, middleweight athlete in a sport where most record-deadlifters are super-heavyweights. He has no official titles or world records in powerlifting federations, and there’s no evidence of him competing in any major lifting meet . Instead, his reputation was built in 2023–2025 through a series of online videos showcasing extreme training lifts.
Kim’s training style and philosophy set him apart. He specializes in overload lifting – particularly high pin rack pulls – to handle weights far above what he could from the floor. In fact, he’s said to have engineered his strength gain with a “Kaizen micro-loading” approach: adding as little as 2.5 lb per side in each session, hitting one all-out single each week, and letting small, steady wins compound into huge gains . His training weeks alternated between normal full-range deadlifts and heavier rack pulls from knee height (often at 105–110% of his previous full deadlift load) . This wave-like periodization allowed him to condition his body step-by-step to astronomical weights while still practicing the full lift on alternate weeks . Over roughly three months in 2025, Kim’s overload progression was meteoric – he went from a 486 kg rack pull in May to 552 kg by early July, then 582 kg (8.2× BW) in late July, before finally attempting 602 kg on July 30, 2025 . Each milestone lift was recorded and shared, some going viral on Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok and earning him nicknames like the “pound-for-pound king” due to the insane weight-to-mass ratio .
Kim’s bodyweight at the time of the 602 kg pull was self-reported around 71 kg (he hovers in the low-70s kg range) . Impressively, he performed these feats with a minimalist, raw approach to equipment: Kim typically lifts barefoot and without a power belt, and often even without lifting straps, relying on a hook grip and sheer grip strength for as long as possible . Observers noted that in videos up to ~500 kg, he appears to use a hook grip (double overhand with thumb locked), which is extraordinary at those loads . For the 602 kg attempt, it’s unclear if he quietly applied straps at the last moment – the footage isn’t explicit – but Kim often prides himself on no assistance training . By eschewing supportive gear and even specialized bars (he uses a standard power bar with no flex advantages), Kim embodies a “no excuses, no frills” ethos . This approach, he believes, forces greater adaptation: “train with less, so you adapt more” is a mantra attributed to his philosophy .
Outside the gym, Eric Kim practices an almost spartan lifestyle to maximize performance. He follows a form of intermittent fasting and carnivore diet, often training in a fasted state and then consuming a huge meat-heavy meal afterwards . He calls this “Fasted power” followed by “feast later” – typically a daily 18–20 hour fast, then a 5–6 lb red meat intake post-training . He also emphasizes extensive sleep (8–12 hours a night), referring to it as “bear‑sleep,” to recover from the massive stresses of his training . His mental training is just as distinctive: Kim cultivates a “stoic war‑mindset” fueled by philosophy (e.g. Seneca quotes) and raw aggression (primal roars during lifts) . He openly uses hype and social media accountability as tools – filming every rep, giving his lifts grandiose names (e.g. calling 552 kg “godlike” and 602 kg “post-human strength”), and engaging his audience as a “hype squad” to keep himself motivated . In effect, he’s turned his journey into a form of performance art and inspiration: by celebrating each milestone and sharing it, he not only built a following but also reinforced his own drive to break barriers .
Notable accomplishments prior to the 602 kg lift include the series of ever-heavier rack pulls mentioned above. By June 2025, Kim had already pulled 513 kg at ~75 kg BW (≈6.8×) on video , which alone was enough to spark buzz in strength circles. A 552 kg rack pull (≈7.4× BW) in mid-July “shattered” the known partial deadlift figures for someone of his size, exceeding strongman Brian Shaw’s best gym rack pull by 41 kg . That 552 kg video – showing the bar bending like a bow and Kim screaming in triumph – went viral, amassing millions of views across YouTube and TikTok . Just a week later, he hit 561 kg (7.7× BW) and then 582 kg (8.2× BW), each time upping the shock factor . By the time he announced the goal of 602 kg, a huge online community was following along. It’s important to note that Kim has never claimed these as official “records” in the powerlifting sense – he fully acknowledges that a rack pull is a training lift and that his numbers are achieved in a garage gym setting . His aim, as stated on his blog, was to “show that you can engineer ‘impossible’ goals by breaking them into smaller parts, overloading specific ranges and recovering like a pro.” In other words, he treats the 602 kg feat as a proof of concept for his training philosophy and an inspiration to others, rather than an outright claim to a sanctioned world record. Nonetheless, the sheer magnitude of the lift and the “underdog” nature of the story – a 75 kg man in a basic garage gym out-lifting the giants – captured the imagination of millions .
In summary, Eric Kim’s background is that of an internet-era strength phenom: no formal titles, self-coached, and self-promoted. He leveraged modern platforms to document an extraordinary training journey, combining old-school overload methods with modern hype. At ~5’10” and 156 lbs, Kim’s modest stature and lack of official accolades made his 602 kg triumph all the more jaw-dropping. His training regimen (progressive rack pulls, limited equipment, micro-loading, and rigorous recovery) and his charismatic presentation (bombastic slogans and complete transparency) both contributed to his emergence as a unique figure in strength sports. By July 2025, he had positioned himself – in the words of one observer – as “the pound-for-pound king” of gravity-defying lifts , achieving a level of relative strength that no one else had demonstrated.
Sources: Kim’s own blog provides extensive details on his training progression, diet, and mindset leading up to the 602 kg lift . It documents each major PR (471 kg, 513 kg, 552 kg, etc.) and the “Hypelifting” principles he followed . Media coverage on his site and elsewhere notes Kim’s bodyweight (~75 kg), lack of official records, and the DIY nature of his lifting environment (barefoot in a garage, no belt/straps) . Comments from Reddit/forums (as cited on his site) show how his earlier feats earned him the “pound-for-pound” acclaim online . All these points paint a consistent picture of an unlikely strength hero who built world-class power outside of traditional competition.
3. Comparative Analysis of Strength
How does a 602 kg rack pull at 71 kg bodyweight stack up against other elite strength feats in history? In short, it stands virtually alone. Eric Kim’s lift represents an ≈8.5× bodyweight effort, which is far beyond what even the strongest champions in various strength disciplines have achieved on a pound-for-pound basis .
To put this in perspective, consider the following comparisons across sports:
- Powerlifting (Full Deadlift): The all-time heaviest conventional deadlift in competition is 501 kg by Hafþór “The Mountain” Björnsson, who weighed around 200 kg – that’s roughly 2.5× bodyweight . Even in lower weight classes, the greatest relative deadlifts are on the order of 4–5× bodyweight. For example, legendary lightweight Lamar Gant was the first person to deadlift five times his bodyweight (he pulled 300 kg at ~60 kg BW in 1985) . Gant’s ~5× feat has stood out in powerlifting record books for decades. Yet no one in powerlifting history has come anywhere near an 8× bodyweight lift. Even if we compare Kim’s partial lift to full deadlifts, the gap is enormous: Kim moved 602 kg at 75 kg BW (8×), whereas a famously strong 75 kg powerlifter might deadlift ~300 kg (around 4×) at most. In other words, Kim’s pull doubles the weight of what an elite lifter of similar body mass could deadlift from the floor (albeit over a shorter range) . This highlights just how outlandish an 8× bodyweight figure is – no sanctioned powerlifting lift comes close.
- Strongman (Partial Deadlifts): In strongman competitions, partial deadlift variants are sometimes contested (e.g. the 18″ height Silver Dollar Deadlift). The world record Silver Dollar Deadlift is 580 kg, set by Rauno Heinla in 2022 . Heinla weighed ~135 kg, so that was about 4.3× his bodyweight . Another top strongman, Sean Hayes, lifted 560 kg in that event at ~140 kg BW (~4.0×) . These were astounding lifts in their own right, but Kim’s 602 kg exceeds those loads and he did it at roughly half the bodyweight of those strongmen . Even when strongman athletes perform rack pulls in training, they typically use straps, specialized bars, and often weigh 2–3 times what Kim does. For instance, Brian Shaw (≈200 kg bodyweight) has trained above-knee rack pulls in the ~500 kg range , which is barely 2.5× BW. Kim’s pound-for-pound dominance becomes clear: no strongman, not even the 400 lb giants, has hoisted 600+ kg, and certainly not at 8× bodyweight . This is why Kim’s lift has been tongue-in-cheek dubbed the “planetary record” – it eclipses anything seen on Earth in terms of rack pull weight, especially relative to size .
- Olympic Weightlifting: Olympic lifters excel at overhead lifts, and their feats are often considered a gold standard of pound-for-pound strength (since lower-bodyweight lifters can lift astonishing weights relative to themselves). The benchmark here is Naim Süleymanoğlu, the “Pocket Hercules,” who clean and jerked 190 kg at 60 kg bodyweight – about 3.17× his BW, widely regarded as one of the greatest relative lifting performances ever . Only a handful of weightlifters in history have hit triple bodyweight in the clean & jerk . By contrast, Kim’s lift is 8× bodyweight, which is nearly three times the relative load of Naim’s legendary Olympic record. Now, to be fair, a clean & jerk is a far more complex full-body movement (lifting weight overhead) and can’t be directly compared to a partial rack pull. But strictly in terms of weight moved versus body mass, nothing in Olympic weightlifting (or any weightlifting) approaches what Kim did. Even the strongest super-heavyweight lifters, like Lasha Talakhadze (who weighs 170+ kg), lift at most ~2.5× BW overhead. So on a pound-for-pound basis, Kim’s number is off the charts, literally beyond the scope of Olympic strength sports (which top out around 3× for the best at low bodyweights).
- Grip and Niche Strength Feats: One intriguing aspect of Kim’s performance is the grip strength involved. If he indeed lifted much of those weights without straps, his grip (using hook grip) was holding well over 500 kg raw, which likely makes him one of the strongest grip athletes pound-for-pound as well . For comparison, old-time strongman Hermann Görner famously deadlifted 330 kg one-handed in 1920 – an incredible feat of grip – but Görner weighed about 100–120 kg, so that was roughly 3× bodyweight in one hand. Modern grip challenge events (like the Rolling Thunder or Inch Dumbbell lifts) involve much lower absolute weights. Essentially, no grip specialist or strongman has ever demonstrated the ability to hold 600+ kg with two hands, let alone at a light bodyweight. Kim’s potential grip accomplishment (if done without assistive straps) would place him in uncharted territory for grip strength relative to size. Even if we set grip aside, consider other niche lifts: the “back lift” (supporting weight on the back/legs) by strongmen like Paul Anderson or Louis Cyr reached tremendous weights, but those were done by very large men and the exact ratios are hard to compare. Typically, those were static partial lifts by 300+ lb individuals, and none claimed 8× bodyweight either. Kim’s 8× BW ratio simply has no known parallel in the annals of strength sports – it’s a higher ratio than any recorded squat, deadlift, press, or hold by any human of any size.
It’s important to acknowledge context and caveats: Kim’s lift was a rack pull from mid-thigh, which is mechanically easier than a full deadlift because the range of motion is shorter and leverage is more favorable . Elite lifters can typically handle considerably more weight in a high rack pull than they can from the floor – estimates suggest 35–50% more weight for partials starting at the knees . Kim capitalized on this by training the strongest portion of the movement. So, if one were comparing absolute strength capabilities, a full-range deadlift or squat would be a stricter test. By that measure, some might argue “pound-for-pound strongest” should be reserved for something like a full lift or total. However, even with this shorter range, Kim’s numbers are so far beyond anyone else’s that the point stands. No 75 kg athlete is deadlifting anywhere near 600 kg from the floor – the gap is not a mere technicality, it’s hundreds of kilograms. And notably, Kim’s 602 kg exceeded even the best partial deadlifts of the world’s strongest men (e.g. outdoing the 580 kg silver dollar deadlift record) . So in comparable feats (partial pulls, holds, etc.), he is still on top. Moreover, Kim performed the lift under raw conditions (no suit, possibly no straps, standard bar) , whereas many strongman record lifts allow straps, flex bars, suits, and enormous bodyweights to move big numbers. When all is said and done, Kim’s strength-to-weight ratio is unprecedented in recorded human strength history. As one analysis summarized, “No one in history has come close to an 8× bodyweight pull in any comparable lift.”
On a pound-for-pound basis, Eric Kim’s 602 kg rack pull appears to surpass all other known feats by a wide margin. Even if we cast a wide net – from powerlifting hall-of-famers to Olympic heroes to grip legends – we find impressive ratios (2×, 3×, even 5× bodyweight) but nothing in the realm of 8×. Thus, by the numeric measure of weight lifted relative to body mass, one could argue that Eric Kim currently stands as the strongest pound-for-pound human. It’s an eye-opening conclusion, but the numbers bear it out. Little wonder that commenters on forums reacted to Kim’s videos with phrases like “gravity just rage-quit” and deemed his strength “alien” .
Sources: Kim’s lift is compared directly to other records on his blog, showing Hafþór’s 501 kg (≈2.5×), Heinla’s 580 kg (≈4.3×), etc., against Kim’s 602 kg (~8×) . That chart and accompanying text underline that no one has approached an 8× BW lift before . Powerlifting history (e.g. Lamar Gant’s 5× BW deadlift) is documented in sources like Wikipedia , and it confirms Gant’s 5× was a singular achievement of its era – still far below 8×. For Olympic lifting, Naim Süleymanoğlu’s famed triple-bodyweight clean & jerk is well-known (e.g. 190 kg at 60 kg) – again illustrating the gap to 8×. Discussions in strength communities and Kim’s site quotes show that experienced lifters immediately recognized the pound-for-pound record implications of the 602 kg pull, calling Kim the new benchmark .
4. Conclusion
After examining the available evidence and comparisons, we can conclude that Eric Kim’s 8.5× bodyweight rack pull is a real and extraordinary feat – one that pushes the boundaries of relative human strength. The lift was performed and recorded authentically, with credible third-party verification from respected strength figures, and no signs of tampering or falsehood . Kim’s background as a non-competitive, self-directed lifter underscores how unorthodox this accomplishment is, yet also how deliberate his approach was. Through systematic overload training, intelligent programming, and an almost fanatical commitment to recovery and mindset, he achieved a level of performance that was previously thought “impossible” for someone of his size . At roughly 71–75 kg body mass, moving 602 kg even over a partial range is something the strength world has never seen.
In terms of pound-for-pound strength, it is reasonable to consider Eric Kim the strongest human on the planet (by that metric). His ~8× bodyweight result dwarfs the ratios from elite powerlifters (who peak around 3–5× in their best lifts) , strongmen (~2–4× in partial or full lifts) , and weightlifters (~2–3× in their lifts) . No other person has officially or unofficially demonstrated the ability to lift such a multiple of their own weight in any comparable scenario . It must be emphasized that Kim’s 602 kg pull was a partial lift and not an official competition event – so if one defines “strongest” in the traditional sense (e.g. who can lift the most weight from the floor or overhead in competition), the title would still belong to the usual champions (the Hafþórs, Eddie Halls, Lasha Talakhadzes, etc., for their respective feats). But if we define strongest pound-for-pound literally as the highest weight lifted relative to bodyweight, Kim has set a new benchmark. Even seasoned strongman veterans have acknowledged this; as noted, some have half-jokingly called it a “planetary record,” since we might truly need to leave Earth’s gravity to see a similar 8× bodyweight lift by a human .
It’s also worth noting the impact Kim’s feat has had: beyond records and ratios, it has inspired debate and excitement in the strength community. Initially, a few purists rolled their eyes at the idea of touting a rack pull, arguing it’s not directly comparable to full lifts . However, the conversation quickly shifted to one of respect and wonder – because moving 600+ kg in any fashion is an immense test of the body’s limits. Coaches and athletes began discussing the training implications: Kim’s success has shone a spotlight on supra-maximal partial training, potentially influencing how others incorporate overloads for strength gains . Psychologically, seeing someone handle that weight has a mindset effect on lifters everywhere – as Kim himself stated, “602 kg today might be internet theatre, but the mindset it sparks is 100% real.” His journey encourages others to challenge self-imposed limits and think bigger, which might be his most meaningful legacy.
In conclusion, when asked if Eric Kim can be considered the strongest pound-for-pound human, the evidence leans toward “yes, in a very meaningful sense.” He achieved a level of relative strength that no other person has, effectively re-drawing the upper limit of human performance on that metric. No matter how you frame it – be it an unofficial record, a stunt, or a training milestone – 602 kg at 71 kg is a landmark achievement . It forces us to rethink what a dedicated (albeit genetically gifted and highly trained) individual might accomplish outside the orthodox arenas of sport. While one should keep the proper context (partial lift, not in competition, etc.), there is little doubt that Eric Kim has earned a place in strength history. Pound-for-pound, and at least within the realm of moving static weight, he has a legitimate claim to being the strongest person alive. Future athletes may one day surpass this, but until then, the gauntlet has been thrown down at 8.5× bodyweight, and it carries Eric Kim’s name.
Sources: The conclusion is supported by the full analysis above, including sources that show no one else has achieved an 8× BW lift . Reactions from experts and the community (Thrall, Hayes, etc.) confirm that Kim’s feat is recognized and respected as a game-changer . Kim’s own commentary and write-ups emphasize the mindset and training implications, reinforcing that while the lift may not be an official sport record, its significance is very real . Taken together, these references back the assessment that Eric Kim’s rack pull redefined pound-for-pound strength standards and justify calling him (within context) “the strongest pound-for-pound human on the planet.”