If you are looking for an effective exercise to make your shoulders look toned and awesome in that strapless dress that you want to wear, then try adding lateral raises to your exercise routine. A lateral raise is a strength-training exercise that concentrates on the shoulder muscles. It works not only the front and back of the shoulder, but the sides as well.

Here is how you do a basic lateral raise:

1. Stand with your feet approximately shoulder-length apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip. Your arms should be straight down at your sides.

2. With your arms very slightly bent (elbows should not be locked) raise the dumbbells out to your sides until they are about shoulder height. Do not go above shoulder height.

3. Lower the dumbbells back down to starting position in a slow and controlled manner. Be sure that you are standing tall and not leaning over during the exercise.

4. Repeat the exercise for the desired amount of reps. Aim for at least 12 reps at a time.

If you are a beginner to the exercise you can choose very light 2 pound weights or no weights at all until you gain more strength in your shoulders. Regular exercisers should choose a weight that will challenge their muscles but you can still complete 10-12 proper reps with the proper amount of weight. If you don't feel the burn after at least 10-12 reps, then you need to choose a heavier weight. On the other hand, if you can't complete at least 10 reps with proper form, choose a lighter weight.

The lateral raise is an exercise that can also be performed sitting down since it is only an upper body exercise. You can sit in a chair or on a bench and perform the same movement. If you want more of a challenge and to also engage your core muscles, you can sit on an exercise ball when performing lateral raises. The instability of the exercise ball makes your abdominal muscles work to keep your balance.

The lateral raise is definitely an upper body exercise that you should add to your strength training routine to get strong, toned, and super sexy shoulders.

Have you ever wanted to learn a new healthy activity, but didn't want to invest the money in expensive programs at your local gym? Well, it's about time you did something about that. It's time to learn new activities that give you even more options for staying healthy. This week, we're going to discuss how you can learn new activities while still sticking to a budget.

One of the easiest ways to learn a new activity is to take classes at your local community college. Believe it or not, many of these classes are extremely affordable. Some activities only take one night, while others can take several weeks. Either way, you'll walk away from the class not only having learned a new activity, but knowing that you can perform it correctly.

The next best option is to rent or purchase DVDs. Just about any new and hot fitness craze has at least one DVD for instruction. Sometimes, you can even find DVDs that come with equipment that you'll need to complete the activity. If you're unsure about whether or not you'll enjoy the activity, always rent a copy before investing in it.

Another great option is fitness programs. Many popular series feature yoga, but there are many other fitness programs as well. You can find some of these programs on public television as well as cable, but you can even find free programs to watch online. The internet isn't just a good place to find videos about exercise programs though. It's also a great place to find step by step instructions on learning new activities. There are even fitness sites that are dedicated to teaching different types of exercise. Best of all, many fitness sites offer the information for free.

Last, but not least, open a book. Libraries are filled with books on healthy activities. It may be crafts that reduce stress, a new type of exercise, or even a healthy cooking method. Bring a few books home every couple of weeks and you're bound to find a few activities that you'll love.