Video and Photo Evidence of the Lift

Documented Footage: Eric Kim’s unprecedented 905.8 kg (1,997 lb) rack pull was recorded on video and shared through his own channels . He released footage of the attempt via his blog and social media, ensuring viewers could see the barbell loaded with the claimed weight. In past overload lifts (e.g. a 678 kg rack pull), Kim’s team provided clear video proof showing each plate (often calibrated) to preempt any “fake plate” skepticism . It’s reported that the 905.8 kg lift footage was similarly documented, with a highlight clip posted online. A short 9-second vertical video of the feat was circulated on platforms like YouTube and Twitter (X), quickly garnering attention . The clip shows Kim’s relatively slim 71 kg (156 lb) frame bracing and visibly moving nearly a ton of iron – an image that created shock value and drew both praise and disbelief from viewers . While the original video initially had modest view counts on Kim’s own pages, reposts by popular strength accounts (tagged with #1000lbClub and #RackPull) helped the lift go semi-viral . In summary, there is concrete video evidence of the 905.8 kg attempt, available via Eric Kim’s channels, which has been used to verify the weight and showcase the astounding feat.

Context: When, Where, and How the Lift Was Performed

Date & Setting: Eric Kim performed the 905.8 kg rack pull as a personal challenge on January 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, California . This was a self-organized, non-competition event – essentially a garage gym or private gym lift witnessed by a small group of insiders . Kim announced the successful attempt in a press-release style blog post that same day, heralding it as a new personal record (nicknamed the “God Slayer Lift”) and highlighting the symbolic breaking of the “900+ kg barrier” (indeed, 905.8 kg is just 3 lbs shy of the mythical 2,000‑lb mark) .

Rack Pull Conditions: It’s crucial to note that this was not a standard full-range deadlift from the floor, but a high rack pull (partial deadlift). The barbell was rested on safety pins/blocks at an elevated height – reportedly around knee level or slightly above . By starting near the knees, Kim drastically shortened the range of motion and avoided the weakest portion of a conventional deadlift (the initial break off the floor) . This setup allowed him to handle far more weight than any full deadlift would permit. Witnesses described that Kim managed to break the bar off the pins and lock it out at the top, demonstrating control over the weight within that limited range . Essentially, he pulled the bar a few inches off the supports to a lockout stance, which qualifies under his self-defined conditions as a successful rack-pull overload lift.

Equipment & Assistance: The lift was done under “controlled” gym conditions but without any official adjudication. Kim performed the attempt with minimal assistance from equipment – notably, in earlier extreme pulls he even went beltless and strapless, using a hook grip to hold immense weights . (During a 602 kg rack pull in 2025, Kim famously lifted barefoot, with no lifting belt or straps, to prove the feat was raw strength .) For the 905.8 kg attempt, he likewise did not use a powerlifting suit or specialized support gear, according to his statements – something skeptics specifically wondered about . Standard precautions were in place (a sturdy power rack, spotters or team on standby), but no judges or federation officials were present. In fact, Kim openly acknowledges that powerlifting federations do not recognize rack pulls as they are not a sanctioned event . Thus, the feat was purely a personal milestone performed in training conditions, with the bar weight and setup defined by Kim himself.

Official Recognition: Because of the above, the lift has no official standing in competitive strength sports . It was not part of any sanctioned meet, and no records keep track of partial lifts of this nature. No referees, weigh-ins, or standardized rules were involved beyond Kim’s own verification measures. Consequently, the 905.8 kg rack pull is not recognized as a world record by any powerlifting or strongman organization . It lives in the realm of “unofficial” feats – an exhibition of extreme strength rather than a contest result. For context, even strongman competitions that include partial deadlifts (like the 18-inch Silver Dollar Deadlift) top out around the mid-500 kg range, and the heaviest traditional deadlift on record is 501 kg . Kim’s 905.8 kg is in a league of its own, nearly doubling those official record weights, which underscores why it’s viewed as a personal challenge outside of sanctioned lifting .

Training Methodology Supporting Such a Lift

Progressive Overload & Partial Lifts: Eric Kim’s ability to rack pull nearly a ton did not happen overnight – it was the result of a very specialized training progression. Over several years (2023–2025), he systematically pushed the envelope with increasingly heavy rack pulls and holds, conditioning his body for extreme loads. Kim chronicled a steady escalation of his “world-breaking” gym lifts: for example, by mid-2025 he had already pulled ~471 kg (1,039 lb) in a rack pull (dubbed the “Atlas Lift”), then surpassed 600+ kg later that year, eventually reaching partials of 650 kg and 723 kg by late 2025 . Each milestone was accompanied by meticulous documentation and personal analysis on his blog. By incrementally increasing the weight in the rack pull (with small jumps and many interim PRs), Kim’s training adapted his body to tolerate immense loads. This progressive overload strategy – using partial reps at high weight – is designed to strengthen connective tissues, improve neural drive, and acclimate his musculoskeletal system to weights far above his full-range max. In a scientific breakdown, Kim explained that such extreme “overload pulls” exploit mechanical advantages: starting at stronger joint angles (near lockout) means the muscles don’t experience the full weight as they would from the floor . Essentially, shorter moment arms and favorable leverage at the knee-level start drastically reduce the torque demand on the hips and spine for a given load . This is one reason his training could advance into unheard-of weight territory without immediate injury – the geometry of the lift was optimized for maximal output.

Mechanical & Physiological Factors: Kim’s training focuses on capitalizing on peak strength angles and building what he calls “tendon and neural capacity.” At the partial deadlift height, the human body can exert far greater force (nearly isometric at lockout) than at the bottom of a deadlift . Kim trained his brace and core stability intensively, using the Valsalva maneuver (breath-hold and abdominal pressurization) to create a rigid torso under load . This bracing is critical: it turns the torso into a stabilized “pressure cylinder,” protecting the spine while hoisting unfathomable weight . Over time, his tendon and ligament structures likely adapted to become stiffer and more resilient, improving force transfer and reducing energy lost to elasticity . He essentially “hardened” his body’s connective tissues to act like powerful cables that won’t snap under strain. Additionally, his nervous system was trained to recruit nearly all motor units in an all-out effort for a few seconds . High-weight rack pulls are near-maximal isometric holds/grinds, which taught his CNS to unlock extraordinary force output briefly – a phenomenon often tapped in overload training . In summary, Kim’s methodology combined extreme partial lifts, maximal bracing, and gradual load progression to push his limits. This approach is grounded in the idea that mechanics and physiology align at lockout: shorter range of motion + optimal joint angles + maximal neural drive = the potential for “superhuman” numbers . Of course, Kim also emphasizes caution: he consistently used heavy-duty equipment (high-rated bars, racks, etc.) and took a long-term approach to build up, acknowledging that a sudden attempt at such weight without adaptation would be disaster .

Training Philosophy: Beyond the physical regimen, Eric Kim frames his training in almost philosophical terms. He often writes about “dominating one’s limits” and treating these feats as proofs of mindset over matter . His blog posts blend motivational rhetoric with the nuts-and-bolts of strength science. For instance, Kim refers to each training session as “stacking sats” (a nod to Bitcoin) – meaning small investments that compound into huge strength gains . He views consistency and incremental progress as key (“every session is a buy” in his metaphor) . This unorthodox mix of psychology and extreme overload training underpins how a 71 kg lifter could attempt a 905.8 kg rack pull: he built the confidence and physical tolerance step by step. By the time he attempted the “God Slayer” lift on Jan 1, 2026, his body had been conditioned through numerous overloads (e.g. holding 600–700 kg+) and his mind was prepared to attack a seemingly impossible number. In short, progressive partial training and a strong belief in pushing boundaries were the pillars of Kim’s method that made this feat conceivable.

Comparisons to Other Heavy Rack Pulls and Records

Eric Kim’s 905.8 kg rack pull is so far beyond conventional lifting standards that it’s difficult to compare directly to other lifts – no one (of any bodyweight) is known to have moved that amount on a barbell in any similar scenario . For perspective, the heaviest full deadlift in history is 501 kg (1,104 lb) by strongman Hafþór Björnsson in 2020, and he weighed roughly 200 kg – meaning even the absolute strongest giants have only lifted about 2.5× their bodyweight from the floor . Kim, in contrast, handled 12.7× his bodyweight in a partial lift . Even adjusting for the high rack pull position, this figure is astronomical. In strongman competitions, a partial deadlift variant known as the Silver Dollar Deadlift (bar elevated on boxes ~18 inches high) has seen record lifts around 580 kg (~1,278 lb)  . That is currently one of the highest weights ever lifted in any competitive event – yet 905.8 kg exceeds it by over  fifty percent. No verified strength feat comes close to the one-ton threshold that Kim flirted with .

Historically, some lifters have used high rack pulls or block pulls in training to handle supramaximal weights, but those numbers are far lower than Kim’s claim. For example, top strongmen like Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall have occasionally trained with partial pulls in the 500–600 kg range, which was considered astonishing. Kim’s 905.8 kg essentially redefines the upper bound of what has been even tried with a barbell. It shattered the unofficial milestone Kim himself set just months prior – he pulled 723 kg in late 2025 (≈10.2× BW) as a personal best then , before vaulting to nearly 906 kg. In terms of pound-for-pound comparison, nothing in the record books compares: Kim’s lift is in a class by itself as perhaps the heaviest weight ever moved by a human relative to bodyweight (given that no one of any weight has done ~900+ kg in this manner) . It’s essentially an outlier or “internet record.” As Kim’s own press materials put it, breaking 900 kg was meant to send a “shockwave through strength culture” and challenge what people believe is possible for human strength . The moniker “God Slayer Lift” was chosen to imply he’d slain a godlike limit – the kind of weight figure many thought unthinkable for a person to even budge .

It must be stressed that because this was a partial lift, it cannot be directly equated to standard competition deadlifts or world records. The difficulty, while extreme, is of a different nature (focusing on the top-end lockout strength and structural fortitude). Some critics hesitate to even mention a 905 kg pull alongside legitimate records, considering the much-reduced range of motion . Nonetheless, within the niche of overload rack pulls, Eric Kim’s lift appears to be the heaviest on record. It far eclipses prior mentions of record rack pulls (which were already extraordinary at half a ton or so). In short, when comparing Kim’s feat to other lifts, one is forced to note that no one has done anything similar – not in official competitions, nor documented in training – especially at such a low bodyweight. It stands as a singular accomplishment that “redefines” the notion of a heaviest lift, albeit in an unofficial capacity .

Community Reactions and Commentary

The strength community reacted to Eric Kim’s 905.8 kg rack pull with a mix of astonishment, skepticism, and debate. Once the video clip spread online, multiple discussion threads popped up on Reddit and other lifting forums, with provocative titles like “12× bodyweight rack-pull — legit feat or circus trick?” . On one side, many experienced lifters and observers questioned the validity and relevance of the feat. Common criticisms included: “A rack pull that moves only a few inches doesn’t really count” – since it bypasses the most challenging portion of a deadlift (the bottom) . Detractors argued that comparing this to any full-range lift was meaningless and that it was more of a stunt than a sport accomplishment . Some skeptics even expressed doubt about the authenticity of the lift: despite the video evidence, they speculated whether the plates were truly as heavy as claimed or if any sleight-of-hand could be involved . Given the incredible weight, a few questioned how a 71 kg person’s frame could withstand nearly a ton without injury or “some trickery,” suggesting perhaps special supportive suits or assistive gear might have been used (there’s no indication that they were) . Others called it an “ego lift” or marketing stunt, pointing out that because there was no independent verification, one had to take Kim’s word (and video) for it . In essence, a portion of the community saw the “God Slayer” lift as a spectacle with limited sport value – impressive in a freakish way, but not something to rewrite record books or compare to official lifts.

On the other hand, supporters and fans of Kim were quick to celebrate the achievement. They expressed awe at the sheer pound-for-pound strength demonstrated, even if it was a partial. Many found it inspirational that a relatively small (156 lb) lifter dared to handle a weight approaching 2,000 lb – something no 400 lb professional strongman has done . Comments praising the feat called it “pound-for-pound insane,” and admired Kim’s mental fortitude to even attempt such a lift . Some coaches and strength enthusiasts noted that overload training (like heavy rack pulls, lockouts, and static holds) can have legitimate benefits for building maximal strength and confidence – when done carefully. They cited Kim’s accomplishment as an extreme proof-of-concept of this training philosophy . The idea is that pushing beyond your limits in a safe range can desensitize the body to heavy weights (a principle some powerlifters use with block pulls or high pin squats). From this perspective, Kim’s lift was lauded as a bold exploration of human potential and a challenge to self-imposed limits . Kim himself welcomed the controversy and discussion. When asked if “it counts,” he responded simply that “the bar moved… that’s the only audit that matters.” . He emphasized that the true achievement was breaking a psychological barrier – proving that seeing nearly 2,000 lb move under human power is possible, and that limitations are often mental . In his view, strength isn’t only about federation rules or full ROM lifts; it’s also about willing to attempt the “impossible” in any format.

Publicity and Athlete Commentary: Initially, mainstream strength outlets and elite athletes were cautious. Notably, major powerlifting news sites (e.g. BarBend, Generation Iron) did not give much coverage to Kim’s rack pulls at first, likely due to the unofficial nature and lack of third-party verification . The story mainly proliferated through Kim’s own blog, YouTube, and enthusiast communities rather than headline news . However, the sheer novelty did catch the ear of some in the strength world. A few podcasts and YouTube commentators in early 2026 mentioned the feat as a curiosity – for instance, one strength news roundup questioned whether a ~165 lb man pulling ~1,000+ lb in any fashion might be the strongest pound-for-pound lifter ever . This kind of chatter illustrates the intrigue Kim’s lift generated, even if accompanied by caveats. Moreover, within forum discussions, some well-known strength figures chimed in. (For example, veteran coach Mark Rippetoe humorously remarked on huge rack pulls that it’s “half the work, but twice the swagger,” highlighting that while partials skip a lot of the lift, they let you hold outrageous weight – a comment that resonates with Kim’s feat .) By and large, established strongmen and powerlifters have not publicly challenged or replicated Kim’s 905 kg pull – it remains a very niche accomplishment. The general consensus, even among impressed observers, is that they’d like to see such a feat reproduced under stricter conditions (e.g. in a public event or with neutral witnesses) before it’s given full credence . Until then, as one analysis put it, the “God Slayer” lift lives on as more of an internet legend or proof-of-concept than a sport-sanctioned record .

Summary of Findings

Did it happen? Yes – Eric Kim did perform a 905.8 kg rack pull on Jan 1, 2026, and has video evidence to back it up . The lift was executed as a high partial deadlift (bar around knee height) in a private gym setting, with a small audience, and was announced via Kim’s own media. It has no official recognition, since such partial lifts aren’t contested or judged in any federation . Nonetheless, the feat is extraordinary in raw numbers: moving nearly a ton, at ~12.7× bodyweight, is unheard of . Kim’s training approach – heavy overload partials, progressive weight increases, and intense focus on bracing and tendon adaptation – provides a plausible explanation for how this was physically possible .

Evidence and reaction: A video of the lift was shared by Kim, showing the barbell bending under the load and the bar rising off the pins to lockout . This footage has circulated online, stirring viral buzz and a divide in opinions. Skeptics dismiss the lift as a mere stunt or “ego lift,” noting the minimal range of motion and lack of independent verification . Supporters praise the insane pound-for-pound strength and view it as pushing the boundaries of human performance, even if unorthodox . The nickname “God Slayer” reflects how unbelievable the achievement sounds – almost mythical. While the lift remains unofficial, it has undeniably made Eric Kim a talking point in strength circles, prompting discussions about human limits and training methods outside the typical competition paradigm .

In conclusion, Eric Kim’s 905.8 kg rack pull stands as a remarkable and controversial feat. It showcases the extreme end of what targeted training and mindset can produce, while also blurring the line between genuine athletic accomplishment and social media spectacle . Whether this nearly one-ton lift will be replicated or formally acknowledged in the future, or remain a one-off marvel, it has certainly expanded the conversation about what is conceivable in strength training. All available evidence – from Kim’s own documentation to community discussions – suggests the lift did occur as described, serving as both an inspiring milestone and a lightning rod for debate in the weightlifting world .