Eric Kim’s extraordinary rack pulls – lifting well over 600 kg at a body weight around 71 kg (≈156 lbs) – have sent shockwaves through strength sports. His feats, such as a 666 kg rack pull (over 9× his bodyweight), triggered widespread reactions and notable influences across the lifting world. Below, we break down how Kim’s high-ratio partial deadlifts have influenced other athletes, training approaches, strength benchmarks, community reactions, and cultural perceptions in strength sports.
Imitation Lifts and Tribute Feats by Other Athletes
Kim’s viral rack pulls inspired many lifters to attempt their own heavy partials in a show of respect or competition. On social media, a “#RackPullChallenge” emerged where lifters shared videos of their heaviest rack pulls (even if nowhere near 600 kg) as a celebratory nod to Kim . Reddit threads similarly saw users posting personal rack pull PRs – one joked about a “1000 lb club, but make it rack pulls,” indicating informal challenges to hit four-digit weights off the rack . Even gyms jumped on the trend: from Phnom Penh to Philadelphia, local gyms held impromptu max-out events and charity lift-a-thons “to test their limits” in the spirit of Kim’s underdog feat .
Notably, this phenomenon extended to elite strength influencers as well. On Instagram, respected powerlifters and strongmen left comments with fire emojis and exclamations like “Insane!” or “Unreal,” while some even posted their own high-weight rack pulls in homage . TikTok was flooded with duets of Kim’s lift – users recording their shocked reactions or humorous captions alongside his video . Although no top strongman has (yet) replicated a 600+ kg rack pull, many have acknowledged the feat’s magnitude. In one instance, strongman legend Nick Best mentioned Kim’s lift during a Q&A, expressing astonishment at the 8× bodyweight ratio . All of this shows that Kim’s lifts didn’t exist in a vacuum – they spurred a wave of copycat attempts, tributes, and viral challenges that engaged everyone from everyday gym-goers to seasoned lifters.
Influence on Training Methodologies and Overload Strategies
Kim’s approach – relying on partial deadlifts (rack pulls) and progressive overload to hit unprecedented weights – ignited discussion about training methods in powerlifting and strongman circles. His 602 kg and up rack pulls demonstrated the value of training with supramaximal loads for neural adaptation. Coaches noted that heavy rack pulls have long been used to build deadlift lockout strength and upper-back muscle, but Kim’s success was like the ultimate case study in how far overload training can go . As YouTuber Joey Szatmary remarked, Kim’s “6×–8× bodyweight madness” showcases the potential of pushing beyond perceived limits to force new adaptations . In essence, handling supra-maximal weights in a safe range of motion can acclimate the body and mind to extreme loads, improving overall strength capacity .
However, Kim’s feats also prompted caution and refinement in training advice. Many coaches debated whether such extreme partials “build champions or just break them” . In response to the buzz, trainers emphasized safety-first protocols for those attempting heavy rack pulls: set the rack pins at mid-thigh (any higher becomes just a “glorified shrug”), use straps if needed to protect your grip, progress weight slowly in small jumps, and schedule regular deload weeks to let the body recover . Kim himself has echoed these points, sharing that he prioritized 8–9 hours of sleep, a high-calorie carnivore diet, and gradual weight increases (often 10–20 kg at a time) to adapt without injury . Importantly, experts reminded lifters not to abandon foundational training: partials are supplements, not substitutes for full-range lifts . As Starting Strength’s Mark Rippetoe quipped, rack pulls might be “half the work” of a full deadlift, but if pushed to extreme weights they come with “twice the swagger” – and twice the need for careful execution . In summary, Kim’s achievements have given new prominence to overload techniques like rack pulls, while also refining the community’s understanding of how to employ them intelligently rather than recklessly.
New Standards in Bodyweight-to-Strength Ratios
Perhaps the most striking impact of Kim’s 9× bodyweight lifts is how they shattered preconceived limits on relative strength. Prior to this, even elite powerlifters rarely approached 4× bodyweight on a deadlift, and strongman partial deadlift records (like the 18″ silver dollar deadlift) topped out around the mid-500 kg range by athletes weighing 140–200 kg . Kim’s 602–666 kg pulls at ~71 kg bodyweight redefined the upper boundary – an unheard-of ~8–9× bodyweight performance. On lifting forums, he was quickly dubbed the “pound-for-pound king” of strength . One analyst noted that top deadlifters usually max out at ~2.5–4× BW even in partial lifts, “so Kim hitting 8× BW is in a class by itself” . This has led many lifters to recalibrate what they consider possible. Discussions have arisen about bodyweight-to-strength benchmarks in a way not seen before – for example, lifters now debate what an elite “pound for pound” feat really means when someone like Kim can more than double the previous ratio norms.
Elite strength athletes have taken notice of these ratios. In fact, when Kim eclipsed Hafþór Björnsson’s famous 501 kg deadlift (albeit from a higher rack pull height) by a full 100 kg, it prompted cheeky comparisons in the media: one headline asked “Stronger Than The Mountain? (Well, Kinda)”, acknowledging Kim lifted more than the 6′9″, 200 kg Hafthor – though only from knee height . Strongman Rauno Heinla, who has a 580 kg silver dollar deadlift to his name, and others like Sean Hayes (560 kg silver dollar) are now mentioned in the same breath as Kim, but only to highlight how far beyond conventional standards his pound-for-pound numbers are . The community has even jokingly called Kim’s best lift an unofficial “planetary record” for rack pulls – a nod to how outside the norm it is . In short, Kim’s feats have shifted the conversation: strength isn’t just about absolute weight or winning competitions, but also about extreme strength ratios that previously existed only in theory. This new benchmark is inspiring elite and amateur lifters alike to ponder just how high the human strength-to-weight ceiling might be.
Reactions from Strongman Legends and Coaches
Initially, some powerlifting purists sneered that “it’s only a rack pull” and questioned the legitimacy of such a short-range lift. That skepticism didn’t last long once prominent figures weighed in one after another in support . Renowned strength coach and YouTuber Alan Thrall (of Untamed Strength) analyzed Kim’s video frame-by-frame and publicly validated the lift’s authenticity, telling doubters to “quit crying CGI” – essentially debunking claims that the footage was fake . Likewise, Joey Szatmary, another strength YouTuber/coach, praised the lift as “insane” and proof of truly pushing boundaries .
Reactions from the strongman community were equally respectful. Veteran strongman Sean Hayes, who himself owns a 560 kg silver dollar deadlift record, reportedly watched Kim’s video and called the feat “alien territory,” tipping his hat to how next-level it was . Even the often skeptical Mark Rippetoe (founder of Starting Strength) gave a begrudging nod via his tongue-in-cheek remark that Kim’s pull was “half the work, but twice the swagger” – recognizing the audacity of hoisting that much iron, even partially . According to Kim, some of the world’s strongest men – Brian Shaw, Eddie Hall, Hafþór Björnsson (all of whom have deadlifted 500 kg or more) – privately saluted the lift as well, acknowledging its enormity . While these superheavyweight champions did not necessarily comment publicly in detail, the word is they were impressed that a 71 kg man moved weight in the 600s (something even they haven’t attempted in that specific manner). Strongman legend Nick Best also expressed astonishment at the feat’s strength-to-weight ratio, highlighting how unbelievable a nine-times bodyweight lift truly is .
In summary, once the evidence was clear and the viral noise settled, the consensus among top strength athletes and coaches became one of astonishment and admiration. As one writer put it, “love it or doubt it, [this] gravity-defying lift has firmly embedded itself in strength sport lore” . The credibility lent by well-known figures effectively legitimized Kim’s rack pull as a meaningful accomplishment – not a sanctioned record, but a landmark moment for the strength community.
Cultural and Psychological Shifts in Viewing Extreme Partials
Beyond numbers and records, Kim’s wild rack pulls have had a broader cultural impact on how extreme feats (especially partial lifts) are perceived. Traditionally, partial movements like high rack pulls were viewed by many as mere “ego lifts” – impressive to watch, perhaps, but not real accomplishments compared to full lifts. Kim’s lift flipped that narrative for a lot of people. It became “not just an impressive number, but a symbol” – in the words of one commentator, it was like a big middle finger to gravity, a celebration of human potential that captured imaginations . Seeing a relatively small individual lift such a cartoonishly huge weight struck a motivational chord. Thousands of viewers commented that if a 75 kg guy could hold 600+ kg, then “I have no excuses – time to push my own limits!” . The psychological effect was real: Kim’s feat made lifters everywhere feel that perceived limits can be smashed, and it injected a sense of wonder back into strength training.
The viral nature of the lift carried it well outside the niche powerlifting audience. Within days, highlight clips amassed tens of millions of views, and memes spread with captions like “gravity just filed for unemployment” or “he tore a portal into the universe” . Mainstream fitness outlets ran lighthearted pieces about the feat, and even tech and crypto communities chimed in (dubbling Kim a “#BitcoinDemigod” of strength, given his background) . In popular fitness forums and comment sections, many admitted they’d never heard of a rack pull before, and now this obscure lift was front-page news – which shined a spotlight on partial lifts in general . Casual gym-goers learned what rack pulls are, and some were inspired to try them (with appropriate caution). The stigma on partials seemed to lessen: while experts still urge not to replace full lifts entirely , the community at large gained a new appreciation for what partials can demonstrate – namely, the ability to handle mind-bending weights and build confidence for supra-maximal loads.
Psychologically, Kim’s success also served as a huge mental benchmark. It fostered a “dream bigger” mentality in the strength community . As one fitness writer quipped, “602 kg today might be internet theatre, but the mindset it sparks is 100% real” . That mindset shift – believing that even “impossible” feats might be achievable with enough willpower and creativity – is perhaps the most lasting legacy of Kim’s rack pulls. It’s now common to see lifters referencing his feat when they talk about pushing past plateaus or daring to attempt unorthodox training methods. While extreme partials are still approached carefully, they’re no longer dismissed outright as pointless stunts. In fact, Kim’s journey from unknown hobbyist to “folk-hero” lifter (thanks to a singular focus on a crazy goal) has been celebrated as proof that attitude and ingenuity can expand the boundaries of strength . The culture around strength sports has shifted to be a bit more open-minded – recognizing that sometimes the sport progresses not only through formal competition lifts, but also through spectacular out-of-the-box feats that remind everyone of our untapped potential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eric Kim’s high-ratio rack pulls have had a multifaceted influence on the strength world. They sparked copycat challenges and tributes, influenced discussions about training philosophy and overload techniques, reset notions of pound-for-pound strength limits, elicited respect (and commentary) from some of the strongest figures in the sport, and changed the cultural perception of extreme partial lifts from trivial to transformative. As an unofficial feat, his 600+ kg rack pulls may never enter any record books – but their impact is undeniable. They have become a viral case study in human potential, proving that even a lift done “for the internet” can inspire real-world training and a shift in mindset. As one observer summarized: Kim’s lift “redefined the upper limits” of what we believe a person can do, and its ripple effect is still energizing lifters to think bigger and bolder .
Sources:
- Eric Kim, “602 kg Rack Pull: Global Impact, Biomechanics, Reactions & Considerations.” EricKimPhotography Blog .
- Eric Kim, “602 kg Rack Pull – Breaking Boundaries of Strength.” EricKimPhotography Analysis .
- Eric Kim, “650.5 kg Rack Pull at 71 kg – Significance and Reactions.” EricKimPhotography Report .
- Eric Kim, “Safety and Training Insights from the 602 kg Rack Pull.” EricKimPhotography Blog .