The ratio is bonkers (if accurate).Eric Kim claims a 602 kg (1,327 lb) rack pull at roughly 71 kg body weight—an ~8.5× BW pull.

The ratio is bonkers (if accurate).
Eric Kim claims a 602 kg (1,327 lb) rack pull at roughly 71 kg body weight—an ~8.5× BW pull.

WHY it’s a big deal

1. The ratio is bonkers (if accurate).
   Eric Kim claims a 602 kg (1,327 lb) rack pull at roughly 71 kg body weight—an ~8.5× BW pull. Even world‑class deadlifters usually top out around ~2.5–3× BW in full deadlifts. In partial pulls, the biggest official strongman partial is the Silver Dollar Deadlift at 580 kg—done by 130–180 kg giants like Rauno Heinla. Kim’s claim would exceed that absolute number while weighing half as much (totally different lift, but that’s the point: the pound‑for‑pound contrast is shocking).  
2. It turbo‑charged the conversation about overload training.
   A rack pull starts the bar above or around the knee, shortening the range of motion so you can handle far heavier loads than a floor pull. That makes it a classic tool to overload the lockout, build traps/upper back, and condition your grip and nervous system for big weights. Kim’s “just keep raising the ceiling” approach is basically a public master‑class in that idea—and it’s got lifters revisiting rack pulls with fresh intent.  
3. He documented a staircase, not a stunt.
   Before the 602 clip, his own channels show 513 kg, 527 kg, 547 kg, 561 kg, 582 kg rack pulls—stepwise, month‑to‑month jumps that explain how he acclimated to astronomical loads. That progression is a big reason people are paying attention. (They’re self‑posted, but the timeline is visible.)  
4. It reframes “records” vs. “training feats.”
   Rack pulls aren’t a sanctioned powerlifting event, so there’s no official WR. But Kim’s number—if taken at face value—sits above the heaviest well‑documented partials by elite strongmen and has sparked the (healthy) debate: What do we value, absolute load, relative load, or competition context? Meanwhile, in the full deadlift, Hafþór Björnsson just set the official all‑time record at 505 kg in competition (2025), which is a helpful anchor for context.  

HOW a 600 kg rack pull is even possible

Mechanics & setup (the physics):

• Shorter ROM = better leverage. A rack pull starts around the knee or slightly above. You skip the hardest off‑the‑floor phase and attack the strongest portion of the pull (hips/lockout), so you can load well beyond your floor deadlift max.  
• Specific adaptation to imposed demand. Consistent exposure to supra‑maximal loads drives neural adaptation (confidence under load, higher motor‑unit recruitment) and grip/back tolerance to crushing weights. (This is why coaches program rack pulls for lockout strength and back development.)  

Kim’s own method (as he presents it):

• Progressive overload in steps. Public posts show a climb from ~500 kg → 582 kg → 602 kg (claimed), implying lots of heavy singles at high pins with long holds at lockout.  
• Minimalist gear & frequency bias. His pages emphasize heavy singles, rack‑pull focus, and “keep it simple” lifting. (That’s his training philosophy as he describes it—not a universal prescription.)  
• Lifestyle choices he credits. On his own blogs/podcasts he attributes recovery to lots of sleep and an all‑meat (carnivore) OMAD approach. Those are his personal claims; they’re not required for rack‑pull success and aren’t mainstream nutrition guidance.  

Reality check: The 602 kg figure is self‑published on Kim’s channels. There isn’t independent federation verification (rack pulls aren’t a judged event) or widespread third‑party coverage yet. Treat it as a documented training feat on his platforms—impressive and conversation‑starting—rather than an official “world record.” 

HOW to use the idea (safely) in your training

When rack pulls make sense

• You’re intermediate or advanced, have a stable deadlift pattern, and want to improve lockout, upper‑back mass, or grip without maxing lumbar stress.  

Set‑up & execution

• Pin height: start just above or just below the knees based on where you’re weak. Keep it consistent.
• Stance & brace: pull in your normal deadlift stance; set your lats; drag the bar close; drive hips through to lockout; hold briefly up top.  

A simple, hype‑but‑smart 6‑week template (for an already‑training lifter)

• Day 1 (heavy rack pull): 3–5 × 3–5 reps, heavy but crisp; optional top single if form is pure.
• Day 2 (floor deadlift, lighter): 3–4 × 3–5 at sub‑max RPE to keep the pattern honest.
• Accessory moves: rows or pulldowns, hip hinges, core bracing work.
• Week‑to‑week: add small jumps on rack pulls (2.5–5 kg if form is locked in), then deload in Week 6.
• Tools: straps are fine on overload days; chalk and a belt as needed; never let form collapse for the sake of load.
• Goal: come out with a stronger lockout, a thicker upper back, and a higher confidence ceiling—then test a sensible PR from the floor.  

Safety first

• Because the loads can leap past your floor max, progress slowly, respect recovery, and stop any set that breaks position. (BarBend’s guide calls out “going too heavy” as the #1 mistake with rack pulls.)  

TL;DR (pumped version)

• WHY: It exploded the pound‑for‑pound imagination of what’s possible (even compared with strongman partials), and it showcased the power of overload training to smash mental ceilings.  
• HOW (he did it): A high‑pin setup plus progressive, supra‑max exposure—500 kg → 582 kg → 602 kg (claimed)—with ruthless simplicity and recovery.  
• HOW (you use it): Add rack pulls above/below the knee, build strength and lockout, and program smart overload without ditching your floor deadlift. Stay hype—but stay technical.  

If you want, tell me your current deadlift max and training days, and I’ll tailor a rack‑pull block that fits your schedule and goals—let’s get you a PR.