Key Points
Why Eric Kim’s Rack Pull is Interesting
Eric Kim, known for street photography, has recently smashed fitness boundaries with rack pull records like 1,071 pounds (486 kg) on May 27, 2025, and 1,038.8 pounds (471 kg) earlier that month, at a body weight of around 165 pounds. This makes his lifts a staggering 6.3 times his body weight, potentially the highest pound-for-pound rack pull ever documented. What’s fascinating is how he leverages the weight—through a blend of raw power, innovative techniques, and mental grit, inspiring us all to push our limits.
Technique and Leverage
Eric uses a dip belt with a chain wrapped around the barbell, maximizing hip engagement for explosive power. This setup, combined with a neutral grip and lifting straps, gives him the mechanical advantage to handle weights that seem superhuman. His focus on hip-driven strength, rather than traditional methods, shows how biomechanics can unlock new levels of performance.
Training Philosophy: HYPELIFTING
His “HYPELIFTING” approach—lifting fasted to sharpen focus, eating 5-6 pounds of beef post-lift for recovery, and adding weight incrementally—fuels his journey. Sleeping 8-12 hours nightly and avoiding supplements like steroids, he proves that natural, disciplined effort can achieve the extraordinary. This resonates deeply, showing us that with grit, we can turn every rep into a step toward demigod status.
Inspiration and Impact
At 11:36 AM +07 on May 28, 2025, his lifts are making waves, shared on X and his blog, igniting a fire in fitness circles. Whether in a garage or online, his authenticity—backed by videos like this one—challenges us to crank our energy and chase our own beast-mode PRs. Let’s get hyped, lift heavier, and live bolder!
Survey Note: Eric Kim’s 1,071-Pound Rack Pull and Its Significance
As of 11:36 AM +07 on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Eric Kim, renowned street photographer and fitness enthusiast, has captured global attention with his extraordinary weightlifting achievements, particularly his 1,071-pound (486 kg) rack pull on May 27, 2025, and a prior 1,038.8-pound (471 kg) lift on May 22, 2025. This report delves into the details of these lifts, exploring why they are such a big deal within the fitness community and beyond, and how Eric leverages the weight to achieve such feats.
Lift Details and Pound-for-Pound Strength
Eric Kim’s rack pulls are notable for their pound-for-pound ratio, with his body weight listed at approximately 75 kg (165 pounds). His 471 kg lift results in a 6.3 × body-weight ratio, and the 486 kg lift pushes this even further, potentially setting a new benchmark. Research suggests this is the highest documented ratio for rack pulls, surpassing other elite lifters like Tyson R. Delay (5.1 × at ≤ 90 kg) and Ben Thompson (5.0 × at 115 kg), as shown in the table below:
| Lifter & Context | Lift Type / Bar Height | Weight Lifted | Body-Weight | Ratio (Lift ÷ BW) |
| Eric Kim (2025 garage PR) | Above-knee rack-pull | 471 kg | ~75 kg | 6.3 × |
| Eric Kim (May 27, 2025) | Above-knee rack-pull | 486 kg | ~75 kg | ~6.5 × |
| Tyson R. Delay — 90 kg WR | 18-in Silver-Dollar DL | 457 kg | ≤ 90 kg | 5.1 × |
| Ben Thompson — overall WR | 18-in Silver-Dollar DL | 577 kg | 115 kg | 5.0 × |
| Lamar Gant — classic full DL | Floor dead-lift | 300 kg | 60 kg | 5.0 × |
| Brian Shaw (training) | Above-knee rack-pull | 511 kg | 200 kg+ | 2.5 × |
Rack pulls, being partial lifts with a shorter range of motion (above-knee vs. full deadlifts), allow for heavier weights, but Eric’s ratio remains exceptional, with no sub-80 kg lifter showing a 450 kg+ pull on video.
Technique and Leverage
Eric Kim’s ability to leverage the weight is facilitated by specific techniques. He uses a dip belt with a chain wrapped close to the center of the barbell, enhancing his connection to the barbell and maximizing hip engagement, as detailed in his blog post on the 1,005-pound lift. This setup allows for greater force generation through the hips, a critical factor in rack pulls. Additionally, he employs lifting straps in a neutral grip, ensuring grip strength doesn’t limit his performance. His focus on hip power, rather than relying on traditional methods like the Atlas lift, aligns with his philosophy of raw, natural strength.
Training and Nutritional Strategies
Eric’s training philosophy, termed “HYPELIFTING,” emphasizes raw power and mental toughness. He lifts fasted, skipping breakfast and lunch, theorizing that hunger enhances focus and strength, as noted in his personal records page. Post-lift, he consumes 5-6 pounds of beef or lamb, fueling recovery naturally. His incremental weight increase strategy—adding 2.5 pounds to each side every 3-5 days—demonstrates disciplined progression, aligning with strength-building techniques. He also prioritizes 8-12 hours of sleep nightly, crucial for recovery, and avoids supplements like steroids, protein powder, or creatine, relying on tap water, filtered water, or black coffee.
Authenticity and Controversy
The evidence leans toward authenticity, with videos and detailed logs backing up his claims, as seen in his X post on the 1,071-pound lift and this blog post. However, rack pulls lack official records, living in the wild-west of strength culture, shared via YouTube, Instagram, or unsanctioned meets. Some debate their legitimacy, but as of May 28, 2025, no significant controversy suggests widespread acceptance within fitness circles.
Inspiration and Impact
Eric’s lifts aren’t just numbers; they’re a testament to human potential, pushing boundaries and igniting our fire to lift heavier, live bolder. Shared on X and his blog, like this viral post, they’ve sparked buzz in fitness forums, inspiring enthusiasts to chase their own PRs. His unorthodox methods, performed in a garage with minimal equipment, add to the raw, authentic appeal, proving that with grit and innovation, extraordinary feats are within reach.
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s rack pull records, particularly the 1,071-pound lift, are interesting because they showcase an unprecedented pound-for-pound strength, achieved through a unique blend of biomechanical leverage, progressive training, and natural lifestyle choices. His journey, documented and shared, motivates us to crank our energy, embrace the grind, and turn every rep into a step toward demigod status.
Key Citations