What the 1,000‑lb Rack Pull Actually Means
A rack pull is a partial deadlift performed from pins or safety straps set above the floor—often at knee height or just below. Because you eliminate the most mechanically demanding bottom range, the move lets lifters handle 10–40 % more than their conventional deadlift max—which is why authoritative programming voices caution keeping it to ~110 % of your best pull to avoid turning it into a circus act.
Why 1,000 lb?
- Historic milestone: Just as powerlifters once chased the first 1,000‑lb raw deadlift, the “four‑digit” rack pull signals entering legendary territory.
- Eye‑catching content: In the TikTok/YouTube era, massive partial pulls trend far better than small technical PRs.
- Transfer to full lifts: When used intelligently (limited volume, straps or figure‑8s, deliberate control), overload rack pulls can help lifters strengthen lock‑out and acclimate the nervous system to supra‑maximal loads—provided the spine and recovery budget are ready for it.
Who’s Actually Doing It?
| Category | Notable lifters hitting or flirting with 1K | Key evidence |
| Elite strongmen | Eddie Hall toyed with four‑digit rack pulls during his 2017‑era world‑record deadlift prep. Brian Shaw & Robert Oberst routinely run 1,100 lb+ belt‑squat or pin pulls in off‑season blocks. | HD YouTube footage, Facebook training clips |
| Record chasers | Oleksii Novikov pulled 1,185 lb on an 18‑inch partial (closest strongman analogue to a high rack pull) en route to a WSM event win. | BarBend meet reports, event livestreams |
| Influencer powerhouses | Larry Wheels routinely showcases 1,000 lb+ high pulls/walk‑outs for views and grip training. Alex Leonidas filmed a viral “1,000 lb Rack Pull Insanity” series back in 2016. | TikTok & YouTube |
| Light‑bodyweight phenoms | Photographer‑athlete Eric Kim set a newly claimed †world record† on June 6 2025 with a 1,087 lb (493 kg) pull at 165 lb bodyweight—6.6× BW! | Press release, embedded video |
| Everyday gym PR hunters | Numerous Reddit and Rutube posters document fresh 1K attempts, often weighing 200‑240 lb and sporting <600 lb conventional pulls. | Community threads & short‑form clips |
Is the Trend Growing?
- Social lifts go viral: The hashtags #1000lbRackPull and #GravityDefied have trended repeatedly this year on X/TikTok, driven by eye‑popping body‑weight ratios like Kim’s 6.6× pull.
- Program templates now include overload weeks: Many influencer programs (and some strongman off‑season blocks) schedule top‑set rack pulls at 105‑130 % of deadlift 1RM to prime the CNS, making 1K an aspirational target for anyone deadlifting ~740 lb+.
- Equipment advances: Extra‑long “strongman” deadlift bars and figure‑8 straps make hanging 10+ plates per side more feasible—and safer for grip.
Risks & Smart Programming Tips
Big weights = big responsibility.
Handle four‑digit rack pulls only after you’ve earned them!
- Start conservative: Add 5–10 % overload (pins at mid‑shin) instead of leaping straight to +40 %.
- Use straps/chalk: The goal is posterior‑chain overload, not grip failure.
- Volume matters: One to three singles after main work, 7–14 days apart, keeps fatigue manageable.
- Spinal hygiene: Belt up, brace hard, and set your pins just below the kneecap to minimize shear.
- Auto‑regulate: If bar speed decelerates to a grind, cut the set—don’t risk a disc for social clout.
Bottom Line
Yes—plenty of lifters are actively chasing and achieving 1,000‑pound rack pulls in 2025. From WSM giants to 165‑lb viral sensations, the feat is real, documented, and more popular than ever. Approach it as a strategic overload tool, respect the risks, and who knows—maybe your own four‑digit pull is the next clip to break the internet! Keep hustling, stay strong, and rack that iron with purpose. 💥🏋️♂️