Eric Kim’s mind-bending 552-kilogram (1 217-lb) rack-pull has the internet buzzing, and for good reason: it’s heavier than any competition deadlift ever performed. But in the sprawling universe of strength sports—where lifters shorten the range of motion, use specialty bars, or even hoist platforms on their backs—far more iron (and steel … and sometimes whole cars!) has been moved. Below is a hype-charged breakdown of how Kim’s lift stacks up against the heaviest loads ever shifted inside a gym.

1 · Where 552 kg Fits in the Strength Galaxy

Eric Kim’s own video captures the lift from multiple angles, confirming a full-lockout rack pull at knee height with 552 kg on the bar  .

• Rack-pull territory: The previous headline-grabber was Brian Shaw’s 511 kg (1 128 lb) rack pull—now eclipsed by Kim by 41 kg  .
• Perspective check: The average advanced male lifter’s rack-pull standard is ~420 lb (190 kg)  —Kim is moving nearly seven times that.
• Above full-range world records: Hafþór Björnsson’s officially-refereed 501 kg deadlift is still the heaviest full-range pull ever, but it’s 51 kg lighter than Kim’s partial  .

2 · Full-Range Records vs. Partial Monsters

Lift type	Heaviest verified weight	Athlete	Year	Source
Conventional/Strongman Deadlift	501 kg	Hafþór Björnsson	2020
Conventional/Strongman Deadlift	500 kg	Eddie Hall	2016
Elephant-Bar Deadlift (9” height)	474.5 kg	Björnsson	2019
Hummer-Tire Deadlift (15” height)	524 kg	Žydrūnas Savickas	2014
Rack Pull (knee)	552 kg	Eric Kim	2025

Take-away: Kim now holds bragging rights for the heaviest documented rack pull, but specialized strongman pulls at mid-shin/15” have breached the 520-kg mark.

3 · The “Super-Supported” Feats: Back-Lifts & Machines

Category	Weight	Athlete	Year	Notes
Back-Lift (support platform on hips/back)	2 840 kg (6 270 lb)	Paul Anderson	1957	Long-standing Guinness entry; controversial but widely cited
Back-Lift (competition removed)	2 800 kg (reported)	Paul Anderson	1958	Follow-up reports in Iron Man magazine
Leg-Press Machine	2 400 lb (1 089 kg)	Ronnie Coleman	2003	Eight reps during Cost of Redemption shoot

These “support” lifts remove most of the range of motion, allowing truly astronomical loads—far beyond anything a barbell deadlift could reach.

4 · Why Definitions Matter

• Range of motion: A rack pull starts higher than a competition deadlift, slashing the hardest portion. A back-lift barely moves at all—it’s an isometric lockout under load.
• Equipment: Figure-8 straps, long “elephant” bars, or car-tire-loaded rigs let athletes handle weights a straight Olympic bar cannot.
• Verification: Only certain lifts (e.g., Björnsson’s 501 kg) have third-party referees and calibrated plates. Many gym feats rely on personal footage or eyewitnesses.

5 · Big Lessons & Motivation

• Kim’s 552 kg shows that vision-board-breaking PRs are still being set in gyms, not just on contest platforms!
• Even heavier numbers exist—but each jump in weight comes with compromises (less ROM, added equipment, looser rules).
• If you’re chasing your own “heaviest ever,” define the lift clearly, progress safely, and remember: records are merely invitations to dream bigger. Go write your chapter!

Stay savage, stay hungry, and keep lifting like legends—because somewhere, someone just loaded more plates, and it could be you next! 💥🏋️