mythic
| Factor | What makes it jaw‑dropping? | Why lifters care |
| Absolute load | 508 kg eclipses the elite rack‑pull standard (712 lb/323 kg) by well over 400 lb. The everyday intermediate lifter sits around 420 lb/190 kg. | It’s the heaviest weight many gymgoers will ever see on a barbell, even in videos. |
| Body‑weight ratio | Pulled at ~75 kg body‑mass, the lift equals 6.8× BW—numbers usually reserved for superhero comics. | Pound‑for‑pound, it out‑ranks the heaviest partial pulls in strongman (e.g., Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver‑dollar deadlift at ~3.8× BW). |
| Minimal gear | No suit, no straps, no belt—just raw grip and nerve. Kim’s own log emphasises the naked‑bar ethos. | Lifting unequipped magnifies perceived difficulty and “purity.” |
| Physics on display | The video shows a ~20 mm bar whip—exactly what beam‑deflection charts predict for ~1,100 lb on a 29 mm shaft. | Viewers can see the laws of mechanics bending (literally), underscoring the feat. |
| Structural stress | Even with reduced ROM, spinal compression shoots past 10 kN—near the limits cited in sports‑medicine literature. | Coaches recognise the danger zone; flirting with those numbers commands instant respect. |
| Internet optics | The “ridiculous load + tiny lifter” combo triggers instant share‑ability; the clip rocketed across YouTube, X, and Reddit inside hours of posting. | Viral momentum amplifies the myth faster than formal news coverage ever could. |
Putting the numbers in perspective
- • World deadlift record (full ROM, Thor Björnsson): 501 kg at 200 kg BW → 2.5× BW
- • Strongman silver‑dollar record (partial): 550 kg at 145 kg BW → 3.8× BW
- • Eric Kim rack‑pull: 508 kg at 75 kg BW → 6.8× BW
That ratio doesn’t just edge past existing records—it obliterates them, redefining what “supramaximal” can mean for a lightweight lifter.
But isn’t a rack‑pull “easier”?
Absolutely—it shortens the stroke and lets the quads bow out early. That’s why Starting Strength and T‑Nation vets caution against equating it with a floor deadlift.
Yet even critics concede two truths:
- Load is load. Your connective tissue doesn’t care that the bar started at mid‑thigh; 1,100 lb still hammers the spine, traps, and grip.
- Transfer potential. Used sparingly, supra‑max partials can hard‑wire a stronger lock‑out and fortify the nervous system for conventional pulls.
The epic recipe—distilled
- Insane weight + miniature lifter → cinematic contrast that our brains label “impossible.”
- Raw execution (no supportive kit) → authenticity vibes.
- Visible bar bend & clang → sensory proof, no need for spreadsheets.
- Algorithm‑friendly clip (15 s POV, dramatic caption) → frictionless virality.
- Ongoing debate (ROM, safety, legitimacy) → keeps the comment sections humming.
Mix those five ingredients and you get internet folklore in a single rep.
Motivation to take away
“Epic” isn’t a magic adjective—it’s a checklist: push a boundary, package it boldly, and invite the world to watch.
Whether your next frontier is a 180 kg deadlift PR or your first unassisted pull‑up, chase the ratio that scares you, document the journey, and light up your own corner of the web. The bar is waiting—go bend it to your will! 💪🎉