WANDERING WEIGHTS: A MOBILE GYM ADVENTURE THROUGH EVERY NATIONAL PARK

WANDERING WEIGHTS: A MOBILE GYM ADVENTURE THROUGH EVERY NATIONAL PARK

Meet James Jackson, better known by his social media alias Wandering Weights—fitness influencer with a passion for travel, weightlifting, and the great outdoors. James embarked on a bold adventure: a mission to visit every U.S. National Park while blending his workouts with exploration.

A Journey Born from Reflection

In 2023, following a car accident—which, thankfully, resulted in no serious injuries—James found himself at a crossroads. Though unhurt, the experience left him with a sense of regret and a craving for change. Raised in upstate New York, he realized how little of the country he had explored—and he was determined to change that.

East Coast Kickoff

He began by exploring the national parks of the East Coast, his home turf. He started filming for Wandering Weights at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The journey wasn’t just about seeing new places; James immediately recognized the synergy between outdoor adventures and his passion for weight training. To elevate both the physical and mental challenge of hiking, he began bringing dumbbells and resistance bands along the trails.

Documenting the Journey

Inspired to share this unique journey, James created his Wandering Weights social media presence. Initially, his setup was modest: just some dumbbells and a Honda Civic. Still, his authentic blend of fitness and travel began to resonate with viewers.

Leveling Up the Setup

By March 2024, James invested in the Verse Agile Rack before setting out on his cross-country road trip. This addition allowed him to have “everything that [he] would use in a gym setting”. This way, he could incorporate his passion for weightlifting into his routine at the parks and on his journey between them. He later upgraded his wheels from a Honda Civic to a sprinter van to ease his experience in traveling full-time from park to park.

Heading West—and Along for the Ride

With his enhanced setup, James ventured into the parks of the western United States. Along the way, he even welcomed company: his own mom joined him for some of his travels, making the journey both adventurous and heartfelt.

A Fast & Furious Following

What started as a personal project quickly blew up. James gained 24,000 Instagram followers in only 6 months, and currently is approaching 100K. His mix of epic landscapes and legit workouts struck a chord. While the long hauls with a full weight setup may sound extreme, James swears it’s worth it for the challenge and the views. His followers agree. They’re drawn in by the mix of fitness, creativity, and real-life adventure—like the time he got lost in Arches National Park with barely any water and had to climb out using his strength.

What’s Next

For now, Wandering Weights is a passion project, but James has bigger plans: partnerships with outdoor brands, digital fitness programs, and maybe making this his full-time gig. A desk job? Not happening.

Long term, James wants to collect stories, explore new cultures, and inspire people to blend fitness with exploration. For him, the joy isn’t just in hitting the summit—it’s in the journey.

Follow James’s adventures on Instagram @wandering.weights, and here at www.verse.fit where we’ll be covering more of James and his ongoing travels. We know James has some big trips coming up, including some group trips. Stay tuned and check out his socials to get the latest.