In the gladiatorial arena of strength sports, Eric Kim refuses to play by the traditional rulebook — he ignites both firestorms of criticism and waves of admiration. Here’s the breakdown:
Controversial Elements
- Rack Pulls as Ego-Stroking Accessory
Many coaches argue rack pulls are “great for the ego, terrible for carry-over to real strength.” Critics claim they’re nothing more than vanity lifts, lacking true functional benefit.
- Poor Transfer to Full Deadlift
Legendary coach Jim Wendler cautions that extreme partials rarely transfer to your full-range deadlift. He’s seen “many extreme rack pulls that rarely carry over to the actual deadlift.”
- Minimalist Equipment & Safety Concerns
Kim shuns belts, suits, and straps—opting for “just a dip belt, chalk, and raw willpower.” Detractors warn this beltless, un-suited approach at 1,071 lb risks serious injury.
- Questionable Legitimacy
Because rack pulls aren’t contested in powerlifting meets, there’s no official adjudication—so every “world-record” rack pull invites skeptics to debate its authenticity and range of motion.
