So you’ve decided you want to start lifting weights. Maybe you want to feel stronger, look more athletic, boost your energy, protect your joints, or just stop feeling intimidated by the weight room. Whatever brought you here—welcome. At Axis Strength Training, we’re big on keeping things simple, effective, and sustainable. This guide will walk you through exactly how to begin weight training safely and confidently, even if you’ve never touched a barbell. Why Strength Training

Most people start strength training because they want to look better, feel better, or get stronger. I did too. But over time, I realized the biggest changes weren’t just physical—they were mental. The gym became a teacher. It showed me how progress really works, how to stay consistent when motivation fades, and how to build a mindset that carries over into the rest of life. Here are the biggest lessons strength training has taught me. 1) Delayed gratification is a superpower

For a lot of people, Sunday is a weird mix of relaxation and low-key anxiety. You want  to rest… but you’re also thinking about the busy week ahead, wondering how you’re going to eat well, get your workouts in, and still handle work, family, and everything else. At Axis Strength Training, we like to think of Sunday as your power-up day —the day you take 30–60 minutes to set up your workouts and meals so the rest of the week feels easier, not harder. Instead of starting Monday

Program 1 — Dumbbells Only Movements:  Goblet Squat, DB Bench Press, DB RDL  Load tip:  Pick weights that leave ~2 reps “in the tank” on each set. When you hit the top of the rep range with good form, bump the weight a little next time. 3x per week - Mon/Wed/Fri works well (all 3 lifts each training day): Week 1:  3×8 each Week 2:  3×10 each Week 3:  4×8 each (slightly heavier than Week 2) Week 4:  4×10 each (same weight as Week 3 if quality holds; increase only if reps feel