If you’re interested in shoulders that look great in a sleeveless dress or tank top, I’ve put together a brief video with my two favorite ways to perform lateral raises. The first is seated with chest high. The video fast forwards to the conclusion of the set to show that I never get sloppy with my form. I just keep performing partials but I don’t sacrifice technique like a lot of people do when they fatigue or use too much weight.

The video then skips forward to my numero uno favorite way to do laterals. I lean forward on this one. Nothing works my medial deltoids (medial refers to the middle part of the shoulders) like this particular way of doing them. Pay very close attention to the fact that I never rock my body or use momentum on either of the movements.

• Sit tall at the edge of a bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Your arms should be down at your sides and palms facing your body.

• Contracting the medial shoulder muscles, raise both arms out to the sides stopping when your arms are slightly higher than shoulder level. Slowly return to the starting position stopping just short of the weights touching your body.

• Make believe you’re pouring two pitchers of water and keep your elbows higher than your wrists.

• Exhale while lifting the weights. Inhale while returning to the starting position. You may also perform these exercises while standing.

• Make sure you select a weight that allows you to perform 10-12 repetitions for each set that you perform.

Some Usher for you too!