Tennis phenom Serena Williams gets that booming serve from strong delts. And gymnast Shannon Miller relies on her delts to pull herself up and around the uneven bars. When it comes to strength training, don't give your delts the cold shoulder. back to top

Where are my delts?
Delts (short for deltoids) refers to a group of muscles around your shoulder joint. You have front, middle, and back deltoid muscles. They all work together to support and move your shoulders and arms. Most people refer to the whole group of muscles as the delts. back to top

What do my delts do?
Your shoulders come into play every time you move your arm. That's because the deltoid muscles help connect your arms to your upper body. Delts are essential for everyday stuff, too. Without them, you couldn't wave to your friends across the cafeteria or slam your locker shut before everything inside comes pouring out. If you like sports, your delts help you do everything from spiking a volleyball to swimming laps. back to top

How do I get strong shoulders?
Most exercises that involve your arms will help strengthen your shoulders. Upper body exercises, such as push-ups and pull-ups, also work the shoulders. Here are a few favorites that help you concentrate on strengthening your delts: standing lateral raise and overhead shoulder press. back to top

How do I stretch my delts?
After you finish your strength training routine, be sure to stretch your muscles. Stretching helps your muscles get rid of the lactic acid that builds up and makes you feel sore a day or two after your workout. Here's a great stretch that stretches out your delts, but also helps with your back and arms: the folded reach. back to top