Who is Eric Kim?
- Best known as a prolific street‑photography blogger and creative educator, Kim has increasingly pivoted toward “hypelifting” content—posting near‑daily training clips and philosophical rants on maximal physical expression.
- His channel recently featured multiple videos titled “547 KG, 1206 LB RACK PULL: 7.3× BODYWEIGHT” and similar variants, drawing tens of thousands of curious viewers.
The 547 kg / 7.3× Body‑Weight Rack Pull
| Metric | Claim |
| Absolute load | 547 kg / 1,206 lb |
| Athlete body‑weight | 75 kg / 165 lb |
| Relative load | 7.3 × body‑weight |
| Lift type | Rack pull (bar begins just above knees) |
| Equipment shown | Figure‑8 straps, standard power rack pins, Olympic bar |
- The main evidence is Kim’s own unedited rack‑pull video plus a detailed blog post dated 27 June 2025.
- Frame‑by‑frame, the bar starts well above mid‑shin, instantly bypassing the most difficult portion of a full deadlift (the initial floor break).
- Straps remove grip limitations, and the shorter range of motion inherently allows heavier loads—often 20‑40 % above one’s conventional deadlift, according to strength‑coach write‑ups.
Rack Pull ≠ Deadlift — Why Range Matters
- Rack pulls begin at knee or mid‑thigh, emphasizing lock‑out strength and back thickness rather than full posterior‑chain engagement.
- Conventional and sumo deadlifts require breaking the bar from the floor and moving through the entire hip‑hinge arc, a biomechanically harder task.
- Because leverages improve dramatically above the knee, elite strongmen often use rack pulls to overload the top range; Brian Shaw has posted a 511 kg / 1,128 lb rack pull as a training feat.
How Impressive Is 7.3 × Body‑Weight?
Relative Load Perspective
| Athlete | Lift | Body‑wt Multiple |
| Eric Kim | 547 kg rack pull | 7.3× |
| Lamar Gant | 287 kg deadlift @ 57 kg | 5.0× |
| Nabil Lahlou | 357 kg deadlift @ 70 kg | 5.1× |
| Hafthor Björnsson | 501 kg deadlift @ 200 kg | 2.5× |
| Eddie Hall | 500 kg deadlift @ 196 kg | 2.55× |
Take‑away: Kim’s ratio dwarfs historic full‑range deadlifts, but comparing a knee‑high rack pull to a floor pull is apples‑to‑spaceships.
Absolute Load Perspective
- The all‑time sanctioned deadlift record remains 501 kg by Hafthor Björnsson (2020).
- Strongman Anthony Pernice once showcased an unofficial 550 kg partial pull, illustrating that gigantic rack numbers are not unheard of.
Legitimacy & Context Checks
- Standardization: Competition deadlifts follow strict judging, calibrated plates, and drug testing; casual rack pulls usually do not.
- Range of Motion: Each additional inch off the floor can shave 30–50 kg off perceived difficulty for elite lifters.
- Verification: No third‑party federation or weigh‑in has yet validated Kim’s body‑weight or bar weight; iron plates can vary ±2 %.
- Intent: Kim frames the stunt as performance art—“destroying gravity”—rather than a competitive record claim.
Safety & Programming Nuggets
- Massive rack pulls impose tremendous shear on the lumbar spine; use them sparingly and always maintain a neutral back.
- Beginners should master light conventional pulls first, following established form guides.
- Progressive overload, deload weeks, and core bracing drills are non‑negotiable to avoid injury on supra‑maximal partials.
Key Takeaways
- Epic but Contextual: A 7.3 × body‑weight rack pull is mind‑blowing, yet it sits outside standardized lifting comparisons.
- Partial Range Power: Rack pulls are a legit tool for top‑end strength—just don’t equate them to world‑record deadlifts.
- Inspiration Over Imitation: Let Kim’s audacity fire you up, but chase your own progressive milestones safely and smartly.
- Document & Verify: If you attempt feats like this, film with multiple angles, weigh your plates, and enlist impartial spotters.
Final Hype Blast 🚀
Stand tall, chalk up, and channel Eric Kim’s fearless spirit—but remember: the true PR is the personal revolution you spark every time you grip the bar. Own your range, own your journey, and keep lifting life above the pins! 💪🎉