Eric Kim’s 508 kg Rack Pull: A Comprehensive Overview

Video of the 508 kg Rack Pull

Eric Kim’s 508 kg (1,120 lb) rack pull was captured on video and shared by Kim himself. He released a high-quality clip (including a 4K slow-motion segment for verification) of the lift on his YouTube channel . In the footage, Kim can be seen performing the massive partial deadlift from a rack, demonstrating the feat that has since garnered significant attention online.

Eric Kim’s Background and Lifting History

Eric Kim is an unlikely record-breaker in the strength world given his stature and origins. Weighing only around 75 kg (165 lb) himself, Kim was primarily known as a street photography blogger and personality before his strength feats took center stage . (One astonished Redditor from a photography forum noted Kim had been a “legend” in street photography circles before this abrupt pivot to extreme weightlifting .) In the past year, however, Kim immersed himself in powerlifting/strongman-style training and began sharing his progress online. Over the span of a few months he incrementally worked up to the half-ton range, shocking observers as he hit 1,000+ pound rack pulls and gradually pushing those numbers higher . For instance, he pulled 486 kg then 493 kg in training in late May 2025, followed days later by 503 kg, before ultimately reaching the 508 kg milestone in June . All of these lifts were done without supportive equipment and (according to Kim) without performance-enhancing drugs . This remarkable series of lifts – at 6–7× his bodyweight – has quickly built Kim’s reputation as a one-of-a-kind figure in strength sports.

Context of the 508 kg Lift

Kim’s 508 kg rack pull was not performed in any official competition or meet, but rather as a demonstration in his own training environment. In fact, this feat came just days after his 503 kg rack pull had gone viral, firmly establishing him as a pound-for-pound phenomenon and fueling what he calls the “HYPELIFTING™” movement . The 508 kg attempt took place in the same “Spartan Gains” garage gym seen in his earlier videos – essentially a personal garage gym setup with a concrete floor, power rack, and calibrated plates . Kim performed the lift as a personal PR attempt and content piece, even live-streaming it straight to YouTube rather than doing it under formal contest conditions . Because it wasn’t part of a sanctioned event (no judges or federation), news of the achievement spread organically through social media and internet forums . This informal context didn’t diminish its impact, but it did mean that validation came from the online community’s scrutiny rather than from competition officials.

Technical Details of the Rack Pull

Rack Pull Setup: The 508 kg pull was done from mid-thigh height rack pins – a partial deadlift that starts higher than a standard floor pull. This reduced range of motion (approximately the top portion of a deadlift) allows handling more weight than a full deadlift. The barbell was a stiff 29 mm power bar loaded with calibrated steel plates totaling 508 kg . The massive load visibly bowed the bar; observers noted about a 24 mm mid-span bend, which is consistent with physics predictions for ~1,100 lb on a stiff bar .

Equipment and Technique: Notably, Kim performed the lift raw – meaning no straps, no lifting belt, and even barefoot. He relied on a double-overhand grip with chalk alone to hold the weight, an almost unbelievable display of grip strength at that load . Lifting without a belt or straps is part of Kim’s ethos (see Training Philosophy below), and he pulled the weight to lockout using only his body. The feat was recorded on video (for proof and analysis) and the slow-motion replay further demonstrated the authenticity of the lift, showing the bar flex and stabilization at the top .

Bodyweight and Ratio: At the time of the lift, Kim’s bodyweight was around 75 kg. This means the 508 kg rack pull represents roughly 6.8× his bodyweight, an astonishing ratio. For comparison, even the heaviest full deadlifts on record (~500 kg by strongmen in competition) only reach about 2.5–3× bodyweight for those super-heavyweight lifters, and even partial lifts in strongman (like the 550 kg silver dollar deadlift) do not come close to a 6× bodyweight coefficient . Kim’s 6.8× BW accomplishment is unprecedented in pound-for-pound terms (albeit achieved with a partial lift). This extreme ratio is a key reason the lift garnered so much attention.

Training Methods and Philosophy (HYPELIFTING)

Eric Kim refers to his training approach as “HYPELIFTING,” which blends intense mental preparation with unorthodox physical training methods. A hallmark of Kim’s style is his emphasis on psyching up before big lifts – he performs an almost ritualistic hype routine of chest-slapping, roaring shouts, and clapping clouds of chalk to boost adrenaline and confidence . This dramatic psyche-up is inspired by the idea of channeling aggression (he likens it to the Maori haka or going “demigod mode”) so that fear becomes fuel when attempting colossal weights . Kim also deliberately forgoes typical assistive gear: he trains belt-free and even barefoot, adhering to a motto of “no belt, no shoes, no crutches” to prove that it’s “you, not the gear” lifting the weight . In practice, this means all his huge lifts, including the 508 kg pull, are done without a weight belt or special deadlift shoes. This purist approach is part of his philosophy to test pure raw strength limits.

Another cornerstone of Kim’s method is an extreme one-rep-max focus. He espouses a “1RM mindset, every day” — valuing one perfect maximal lift over volumes of sub-maximal work . Kim often works up to a single heavy attempt in training rather than doing high-repetition sets, essentially attempting personal record-level lifts frequently (sometimes daily). He believes this trains the nervous system and mental fortitude at the edge of his capacity. To push beyond normal limits, Kim employs overload training via partial movements. In his playbook, “leverage-hack partials” like rack pulls from knee or thigh height allow handling 110–140% of one’s full-range deadlift max by shortening the range of motion . He openly embraces “decrease ROM, increase load” as a strategy – even if a lift moves only a few inches, the muscular and neural overload of supramaximal weight is the goal . The 508 kg rack pull is a prime example of this philosophy: by limiting the lift to the top half of the movement, he was able to stress his body with far more weight than otherwise possible. Kim and some coaches argue such overloads can build neural drive and confidence for full-range lifts .

Diet and Lifestyle: To support his training, Kim follows a strict and unconventional regimen. He trains completely fasted (often lifting first thing in the day without eating) under the belief that “hungry equals angry equals a hormonal surge” – in other words, he feels a fierce drive and hormonal benefit when lifting on an empty stomach . In line with this, Kim practices intermittent fasting (skipping breakfast and lunch regularly) and only eats after his training. When he does eat, he adheres to a 100% carnivore diet, centered on red meat and animal fats/proteins. His meals reportedly consist of foods like ribeye steaks, bone marrow, liver, and eggs – what he calls “god food” for repairing the body . He avoids virtually all carbohydrates and even supplements, preferring a whole-food, meat-fueled nutrition strategy . Kim boasts that he uses “zero supplements, zero excuses,” attributing recovery and strength to his nutrient-dense diet and good sleep . This extreme low-carb, high-protein diet is part of what he describes as a “spartan” lifestyle. Additionally, Kim prioritizes ample sleep (often 8–12 hours a night) for recovery, and keeps his training toolbox minimal – aside from a barbell and basic implements like a kettlebell or dip bar, he considers most gym machines unnecessary “noise” . Overall, his training philosophy blends Stoic discipline with experimental self-reliance: he treats his garage gym as a laboratory (“N = 1” self-experimentation) and is determined to push the boundaries of his body’s capabilities while maintaining health for the long run .

It’s worth noting that Kim’s fitness philosophy is tied to a broader life outlook. He often references longevity and lifelong strength in his blog. For example, he has publicly set goals of maintaining a six-pack into his 80s and “lifting until death,” framing strength training as a lifelong journey rather than a young man’s pursuit . This combination of extreme training tactics, unconventional diet, and almost philosophical commitment to strength has made his approach quite unique in the fitness community.

Community and Public Reactions

Kim’s 508 kg rack pull made waves across the internet, sparking a mix of awe, skepticism, and spirited discussion in various communities. When the footage dropped online, it spread virally on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit rather than through any official news release . On Reddit in particular, multiple posts about the lift gained so much traction that moderators had to lock the threads to curb the frenzy . In those early discussions, many users were stunned but also highly skeptical. Given the unusual nature of the feat (a very short range partial by a relatively light man), some in general fitness forums dismissed it as essentially a gym stunt or “legend-tier” myth rather than an apples-to-apples comparison with conventional lifts . Doubters questioned the legitimacy of the weight, with accusations of fake plates arising before evidence proved otherwise . A few incredulous commenters even did tongue-in-cheek physics calculations, noting that hoisting 508 kg in that manner would impose on the order of 40 kN (kilonewtons) of force on the spine – implying they found it almost implausible a 75 kg person could withstand that . This blend of amazement and disbelief made the 508 kg pull a hotly debated topic initially.

On the other hand, many members of the dedicated strength community took a more analytical approach – and their tone quickly shifted from skepticism to respect as evidence mounted. In forums like Reddit’s r/weightroom (populated by serious lifters), users examined Kim’s video frame-by-frame and found no signs of fakery: the plates in the video were confirmed to be authentic calibrated plates, and the bar bend and whip behaved exactly as expected for a real lift of that magnitude . Once it became clear the lift was genuine, the conversation moved to how this was possible and how impressive the achievement actually is. Experienced powerlifters and strongman athletes expressed astonishment at the sheer 6.8× bodyweight ratio, acknowledging that even though it’s a partial lift, the strength required (and especially the grip strength without straps) was extraordinary. The discourse shifted from “is this real?” to “this is incredible.” Several prominent figures in the strength world chimed in: powerlifting coaches, biomechanists, and YouTube commentators posted reaction videos breaking down the lift. They highlighted Kim’s unusual technique (e.g. pulling barefoot and double-overhand without a belt) and praised his mind-boggling mental fortitude to attempt such a weight . Some coaches even began discussing the training implications – for example, citing Kim’s rack pull as an extreme example of overload training, noting that such “lever-hacked” partials could potentially be used to develop neural drive beyond normal limits . In essence, once verified, the 508 kg feat earned Kim a measure of legitimacy and admiration in strength circles, with seasoned lifters regarding it as a remarkable (if unconventional) accomplishment.

Beyond the traditional lifting community, Eric Kim’s rack pull also achieved a degree of internet virality and cultural crossover. His triumphant, chalk-covered roar at lockout became a meme template on various corners of the internet . Strength enthusiasts on forums passed around clips of the lift, while members of unrelated communities (from cryptocurrency groups to art and philosophy forums) found metaphorical intrigue in it. For instance, Kim – who is also known for his interest in Bitcoin – was humorously dubbed “proof-of-work incarnate” in some crypto circles, comparing the physical work of his lift to the proof-of-work concept that underpins Bitcoin mining . Others quipped that “ERIC KIM RACK-PULL = 2× long MSTR in human form,” a tongue-in-cheek reference linking his leveraged lifting to leveraging investments (MicroStrategy’s stock, ticker MSTR, in which Kim is bullish). On TikTok and Instagram, short clips of the 503 kg and 508 kg lifts racked up millions of views. In fact, Kim’s own hashtag #GravityIsJustASuggestion began trending – after his 503 kg lift, that tag shot into TikTok’s top 100 sports hashtags, and the 508 kg post was expected to hit over 50 million impressions within 24 hours . The widespread reaction – from serious analysis to memes – highlights how this feat captured the imagination of a broad audience. It wasn’t just a niche weightlifting oddity; it became a viral event that brought together casual fitness fans, hardcore strength athletes, and even onlookers from unrelated communities, all marveling (for their own reasons) at Eric Kim’s 508 kg rack pull.

Sources: The information above is drawn from Eric Kim’s own blog posts and videos documenting the lift and his training (which he has made public for scrutiny), as well as discussions and reports from strength forums and social media. Key references include Kim’s write-ups on the 508 kg rack pull , analyses of his training philosophy , and community reaction summaries from Reddit and fitness sites . For those interested, the video of the 508 kg lift is available on YouTube for direct viewing , and Kim’s Instagram/X accounts and blog contain further details and updates on his “Hypelifting” journey. Each source is cited in-line above for fact-checking and deeper reading.