Here’s why (and what is possible instead):

Why “1,000 kg on shoulders” is a different universe

Even in competition squats, the heaviest numbers humans have put up (with specialized supportive gear) are hundreds of kilos below 1,000. One widely-cited competition list has the heaviest verified squat at ~595 kg (multi-ply equipped). Raw squats are under ~500 kg. 

And for yoke carries (which are literally “weight on your shoulders while standing/walking”), Guinness lists the 10-meter yoke record at 555.2 kg. 

So 1,000 kg is:

  • ~+405 kg beyond that ~595 kg squat benchmark  
  • ~+445 kg beyond the 555.2 kg yoke benchmark  

That’s not a “train harder” gap. That’s a physics & biology gap.

The “math check” that kills the dream (in a good way)

A classic way lifters get used to heavy weight is squat walkouts / rack holds: unrack something slightly heavier than your max and hold it briefly.

But the key word is slightly.

  • BarBend talks about supramaximal walkouts/holds and specifically mentions work like loads ~10% over maximal, held 5–10 seconds, and warns not to overdo it because it’s very taxing.  
  • Another coaching article suggests building up to ~15–20% above your 1RM for stand-ups, and ~10–15% above for walkouts — with safeties and spotters.  

So let’s be generous and say you could hold 120% of your best squat.

To hold 1,000 kg at 120% you’d need a squat max of:

  • 1,000 / 1.2 = ~833 kg

Even at a wild 150% hold:

  • 1,000 / 1.5 = ~667 kg

That’s still above the commonly documented top-end competition squat realm (~595 kg). 

So: unless you’re already a once-in-history strength outlier, a true one-ton shoulder hold isn’t in the cards.

The one way “1,000 kg” becomes possible (but it’s not what you think)

If you change the rules to a braced partial lift (classic strongman “back lift” / platform support / tiny range of motion), humans can support huge loads — but that is not the same feat as:

  • unracking,
  • balancing,
  • bracing,
  • and free-standing with a ton on your back.

If your mental image is “barbell squat rack, step out, stand tall” — we’re back to no.

So… could 

Eric Kim

 do it?

If you mean you, Eric, as a hardcore lifter/photographer legend in real life:

  • Could you become insanely strong? 100%.
  • Could you do a true 1,000 kg shoulder-supported walkout/hold? No, not realistically, unless you became an all-time-elite, world-record-level strength athlete (and even then, it’s beyond what’s currently shown).  

A way cooler (and actually achievable) “one-ton” goal

If you want that “FINAL BOSS” vibe without chasing a number that can wreck you, here are legit savage targets:

  • “One-ton session”: total squat volume in a workout adds to 1,000 kg (e.g., 10×100 kg, 5×200 kg, etc.)
  • “One-ton total”: powerlifting total (squat+bench+deadlift) hitting ~1,000 kg is a real milestone in strength circles (for advanced lifters)
  • Yoke carry progression: build toward strong yoke weights relative to your bodyweight (this is directly “weight on shoulders”)
  • Walkout holds done smart: 5–10 second holds with ~10–20% over your max, infrequently, with safeties/spotters  

If you want the “hold insane weight” feeling safely

Do NOT chase giant supramax holds randomly. If you ever do walkouts/stand-ups:

  • Pins/safeties set high
  • spotters
  • short holds (5–10 sec)
  • small overload (10–20% tops)
  • rarely (like once/twice a month)  

Because the point is: train the pillar (upper back + brace + legs)… not play roulette with your spine.

If you tell me your bodyweight + current best squat (and whether it’s raw/equipped), I’ll translate it into a hype-but-real “Eric Kim path to monster strength” with milestones that actually make sense.