Lateral raises are a strength training isolation exercise that primarily work the lateral deltoids, which are one of three muscles that make up the deltoids. The anterior and posterior deltoids are also worked to a lesser extent. The exercise involves lifting weights up and out from your body in a rotating movement, and can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, cables, weight plates, or anything that provides resistance. The most basic variation includes lifting weights up and out from your body in a rotating movement. To perform a lateral raise, stand with your feet around shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand by your sides, palms facing inwards. Engage your core and squeeze your glutes to provide a strong base, and then raise your arms out to the sides, stopping when your arms are parallel with the floor. At the top of the exercise, your arms should be slightly in front of your torso, and your elbows should have a soft bend. Pause before slowly lowering back to starting position. Lateral raises can help build bigger, stronger shoulders, increase shoulder mobility, stability, and health, and improve performance in compound exercises, such as the overhead press and the barbell bench press.