Creative positions for intimacy: Standing or Sitting
BY THE EDITORS OF MEN’S HEALTH. Listen to the ► Podcast at How To Sex.
According to Justin Lehmiller, Kinsey Institute researcher and member of the Men’s Health Advisory Panel, stress could have something to do with the widespread craving for sexual novelty. “When we’re stressed, it’s often harder to feel desire or to stay in the moment, because our mind is distracted and wandering,”
Lehmiller says. “Trying something new can create this immersive experience that lets us be in the moment and raises sexual arousal.”A fun, new sex position is an easy way to immerse yourself in a sexual experience. Take a much-needed break from stressing about work or the state of the world by attempting something adventurous in the bedroom, like the many sex positions you’ll find on this list. (Don’t worry, we also included fan favorites like missionary, cowgirl, spooning, and doggy style.)
Which positions should you try first? Start by asking yourself what you’re hoping to achieve by changing up your usual routine. This will guide how you approach this list of 56 sex positions, explains Ian Kerner, sex therapist, and author of; She Comes First; and, So Tell Me About the Last Time You Had Sex.
If
you are looking for positions to help with female orgasm, then you want
to look for sex positions where he can manually stimulate her clitoris
during penetration. “Most women are not going to be able to get highly
aroused or have an orgasm unless there’s some kind of clitoral
stimulation happening,” Kerner says.
Or perhaps you want to explore
elements of BDSM (an umbrella term encompassing Bondage and Discipline,
Dominance and Submission, Sadism, and Masochism) with new sex positions.
“Some of these positions are great for power play, where you can feel
dominant or submissive,” Kerner says.
Some of these sex positions are
fun to try for novelty’s sake, but not necessarily ideal from start to
finish. “You will likely want to mix and match positions,” Kerner says.
“You can start in some of the more adventurous and highly athletic
positions, but then transition into a less demanding position, where you
can fully relax and feel present in the sex you’re having.”
If a sex
position feels uncomfortable, don’t overdo it. This isn’t a “push
through the pain” situation. Just switch to something else! There are
plenty of positions here to choose from.
These positions are detailed in 5 chapters, which include standing, sitting, sideways, man-on-top, and woman-on-top.
And
we’ll need to split this topic into two episodes, because of the great
variety of expressions on the list. And if we’re just not descriptive
enough for those listening to the audio podcast, be sure to pull up the
transcripts with detailed illustrations of all 54 positions.
And now, let’s get started with the first position.
Chapter 1: Standing Positions
The next several positions don't even require a mattress. Often our spontaneous desires won't wait until bedtime. Let's get started.
1. Stand and Deliver
Also known as: The Bicycle
Benefits: You can enjoy the view of your penis thrusting.
Technique:
Men, Stand at the edge of a bed or desk while your woman lies back and
raises her legs to her chest. Her knees are bent as if she’s doing a
"bicycling" exercise. Grab her ankles and enter her. Thrust slowly, as
the deep penetration may be painful for her.
Also try: Have your woman place her heels on your shoulders, which will open her hips so her labia press against you
Hot tip: Encourage your woman to play with her clitoris manually. Also, show her that she can control your penetration by flexing her thighs.
2. Standing Dragon
Also known as: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Serpent
Benefits:
An ideal position for G-spot stimulation. Seeing the round curves of
your woman’s rear tends to be highly erotic for you.
Technique:
Men, Stand and enter your woman from behind as she poses on all fours on
the edge of the bed and arches her back to lift her buttocks.
Also
try: You can move your legs outside of hers, then use your thighs to
squeeze her knees together, which tightens her vagina around your penis.
The tightness often enhances the response for both of you.
Tip
for him: This position also allows you to keep both hands free for
pleasuring her backside. Keep some lube handy in case she wants deep
anal massaging.
3. Standing O
Benefits: Ideal position for all things cunnilingus: clit sucking, rubbing, digital penetration, G-spot stimulation.
Technique:
Men, While on your knees, have your woman stand up-right. She should
then drape one of her legs around your shoulder while you eat her out.
Hot
tip: Ideally, you want your woman's hands above your head. This can be
accomplished through the use of some BDSM restraints. If restraints
aren’t her thing, see if you can find an anchored bar or beam for her to
grasp.
4. Restroom Attendant
Also known as: Drop the Soap
Benefits: Good for a quickie at the workplace, a party, or mid-flight.
Technique:
Men, Slip into a bathroom and ask her to look into the mirror while you
enter her from behind. It lets you have eye contact during the
G-spot-targeting rear-entry sex position.
FYI: Women fantasize about this scenario.
5. Butter Churner
Also known as: Squat Thruster
Benefits: An extra rush of blood to your woman’s head to increase her ecstasy.
Technique:
Men, Have your woman lie on her back with her legs raised over her
head. This is not a plain Jane position! Squat over her, holding her
upraised legs steady; and dip your penis in and out of her vagina. Be
extra careful to thrust lightly to avoid stressing her neck—Kerner warns
this position could potentially result in a neck injury. The side
armrest of a sofa might help create a position similar to this with less
physical exertion.
Warning: Most men’s erect penises have
limits to how much they can bend downward. If this position is painful,
stop before your penis ruptures internally and needs emergency surgery.
Also
try: By removing yourself fully, you'll give your woman the extremely
pleasurable feeling of you first entering her over and over again.
Hot
tip: Novelty ignites passion by increasing your brain's levels of
dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to romance and sex drive, says
biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD. The Butter Churner
qualifies for novelty, but you don't need to go to such extremes to
sustain romance. Anything that's new and different will do the trick.
6. Couch Surfer
Also known as: The Lazy Susan
Benefits: Convenient for a quickie and adds spice outside the bedroom.
Technique:
Men, Ask your woman to bend her body over the arm of a couch as you
enter her from behind. She can grind on the firm but cushy arm for
multiple stimulation with minimal effort.
Also try: Have her cross her ankles. This will squeeze her vaginal and gluteal muscles tightly around your penis.
FYI: This is safer than the Butter Churner, but similar.
7. Yourself on the Shelf
Also known as: The Bicycle
Benefits:
“You can enjoy the view of your penis thrusting inside of your woman,
and this position really allows for direct clitoral stimulation,” says
Kerner.
FYI: This position requires a man with enough strength to hold his woman safely, while she gyrates up and down on his penis.
Technique:
Men, Have your woman perch her butt right on the edge of a bed, chair,
counter, or table. With you standing in front, you can enter her. Then
have her wrap her legs around you. From there, stand up-right, placing
your hands firmly around her back to support your woman without injuring
your penis.
Also Try: If you don’t have the quad and glute
muscles to pull this position off, just keep your woman on the edge of a
counter, table, or other furnishing, penetrating her there.
Hot
Tip: It’s a great way to finish having sex. Since the position is
strenuous, try moving to it 30-60 seconds before you and your woman are
about to orgasm.
Caution: Have a safe emergency landing spot near you(bed or sofa), in case you have an injury or lose your balance.
8. Ballerina
Also called Ballet Dancer
Benefits:
Erotic move for quickies in tight quarters. Good option for outdoor
sex. Allows for easier penetration. Your woman has control of thrusting,
depth, and angle.
Technique: Men, You stand facing one another.
Your woman raises one of her legs up and wraps it around your buttocks
or thigh and pulls you into her with her leg.
Also try: If that
wrapped leg gets tired, cradle it with your arm. If your woman is very
flexible, lift her leg over your shoulder.
Hot tip: Try this
standing position in a hot shower, if you have something to hang onto.
During the steamy foreplay, rub each other's entire body with a coarse
scrub to stimulate nerve endings and blood flow.
9. Iron Chef
Also known as: Kitchen Confidential
Benefits: Good sex position for a quickie with deep penetration.
Technique:
Men, Help your woman up on the counter, seated facing you, with her
panties removed. She sits on the edge of the counter and wraps her arms
around you while you enter her from in front. Bathrooms and kitchens are
the two most popular locations for this coupling, but Dining tables and
workbenches are also a thrill.
A
variation between The Ballet Dancer and Yourself on a Shelf; in which
your woman raises her legs up and wraps them around your butt or thighs.
Your kitchen counter is often the perfect height for this
standing-to-seated appetizer.
Tip for him: Women often fantasize
about being ravaged by her man while preparing him a special meal.
Watch for signals, like a scantily dressed, or suggestive-talking woman
in the kitchen. Kissing keeps her cooking!
10. H2 Oh Yeah
Also known as: Aquaman's Delight, Water Sex
Benefits: Good for an outdoors quickie, while still avoiding prying eyes.
Technique:
Men, Another variation of The Ballet Dancer. Your woman's buoyancy in
the water makes this sex position easier to hold. And all you need to do
is shift some bathing suit material out of the way of certain body
parts; the lifeguards will be none the wiser.
Tip for her: Cold
water can hamper a man’s sexual response, so she needs to be especially
attentive to arousing him in a cold pool or lake. On the positive side,
men don’t ejaculate as quickly when their genitals are cold, so she gets
to take her time and enjoy the ride longer. Shoulder deep water is best
for minimizing the weight of the woman getting a ride on her man.
11. Wheelbarrow, Standing
Also known as: The Hoover Maneuver
Benefits:
Calorie burner because it's so athletic. You can stroll around the
house in this position, but draw the shades first. She may also
experience a heightened climax from blood rushing to her head.
Technique:
Men, You enter your woman as you would in doggy, or standing, rear
entry; but lift her up by the pelvis and have her grip your waist with
her legs. Stand up to invert her body, while thrusting rhythmically.
Summer camp wheelbarrow races were never this much fun!
Also try: Ask her to rhythmically squeeze her pelvic floor muscles, to help her climax.
12. The Elevator
Also known as: The Bees Knees
Benefits: Great for out-of-bedroom fellatio.
Technique:
Men, Your woman kneels in front of you, covering her teeth with her
lips and encircling your glans with her mouth. She then slowly pistons
her lips up and down on your shaft, alternating speeds and occasionally
stopping to move her tongue over and around your glans.
Also
try: Lean a dressing mirror against a wall to the side of your body so
you can enjoy the view of your woman going down on you from the side
versus top down.
Hot tip for her: For variation, she can take one of your testicles into her mouth as she strokes the shaft with her hand.
13. Quickie-Fix
Also known as: The Bends
Benefits: Greater thrusting power, and good for quickie sex in your kitchen, especially if your woman is wearing a skirt.
Technique:
Men, Ask her to bend at the waist and rest her hands on a piece of
furniture, her knees or the floor for support. You enter her from behind
and hold her hips for support as you thrust.
Also try: Reach below to caress her clitoris for extra stimulation. This is a great ‘shower sex’ position.
Hot tip: Massage her shoulders or stimulate her breasts by bending over her.
Chapter 2: Seated Positions
In the next several positions, we'll discuss ways to intimacy in a seated position. These options accommodate pleasure in situations where a bed is not an immediate option, or perhaps it's just time for some variety.
Let's continue.
14. Face Off
Also known as: The Lap Dance
Benefits: Allows for face-to-face intimacy; cozy for long sessions.
Technique:
Men, Sit on a chair or the edge of the bed. Your woman then faces you,
wraps her arms around your back, climbs on top, and sits on your lap.
Once in the saddle, she can ride up and down on your penis by rising
with her legs or knees. Want to go faster? Assist by grabbing her
buttocks and lifting and bouncing.
Also try: Your woman can sit
astride facing you on a rocking chair. Old wooden rockers on hardwood or
stone floors provide the greatest variety of good vibes.
Hot
tip: There's lots of room for creativity in this position for
stimulating erogenous areas of the upper body, head, neck, and face. If
she likes to have her nipples licked, go for it!
15. Hot Seat
Also known as: The Love Seat, The Man Chair
Benefits: Good G-spot stimulation.
Technique:
Men, Sit on the edge of the bed or on a chair with your feet on the
floor. Your woman turns away and backs up onto you, sitting between your
legs. She can ride back and forth by pushing off the chair arms or
pressing up with her feet. She can control the angle of entry by arching
her back and pressing her buttocks into your groin. While doggy style
is about your dominance, The Hot Seat puts your woman in the driver's
seat. And that makes it one of the best sex positions for both of you.
Also
try: Your woman can reach under and stimulate the base of your penis,
scrotum, and perineum. Meanwhile, you can reach around and stimulate her
nipples.
16. The Little Dipper
Benefits: “A great position that allows for clitoral stimulation with both your mouth and fingers,” says Kerner.
Technique:
Men, For the Little Dipper, the woman is on top and uses either a bed,
couch, or chair to hoist herself over you. You then insert your penis
into her vagina or anus. She then does tricep dips to move up and down
on your penis. If done correctly, you should be in a T-shape formation.
Hot tip: Play with the man’s penis, or the woman's clitoris, for extra stimulation.
FYI, the woman will have sore triceps once you both finish.
17. One Up
Also known as: Over Your Shoulder, The Hamstring Stretch
Benefits: This is the best sex position for people who are particularly sensitive along one side of the clitoris.
Technique:
Men, Kneel on the floor with your woman sitting, reclining, or lying on
the edge of the elevated chair, sofa, bed or swing. Raise one of her
legs and ask her to support it by wrapping her hands around her
hamstring just below the knee. With one hip raised, she will be able to
add some movement to aid in your stroking or to help move you to the
perfect spot.
Also try: Encourage your woman to wriggle a little to help you get the rhythm right.
Hot
tip: During oral sex, allow the knuckle of your finger to trail behind
your tongue. The contrast between soft flesh of the tongue and hard bone
of the finger will create a pleasing sensation. (For more oral pleasure
positions, check out Your Ultimate Guide to Oral Sex.)
Hot tip
for her: She can let you know the tongue pressure and technique she
prefers by demonstrating with her mouth on your earlobe.
18. Spin Cycle
Also known as: Maytag Repair Man
Benefits:
Extra vibes. It's true that women in the nineteen sixties fell in love
with the automatic washing machine. But she seldom talked about all the
benefits received from the modern convenience.
It seems that when a woman puts all her weight on the rapidly spinning machine, the vibrations pulse and overwhelm her nearby clitoral vaginal nerves.
Some brave women shared this little detail with her receptive man. This sometimes resulted in men utilizing the sturdy machine to enhance their woman's pleasure and perhaps even their own?
Technique: Men, This is a variation on the Hot Seat with your woman sitting in your lap, but this time planting yourselves on top of a washing machine, set at the highest agitator cycle.
Tip: Throw some heavy rugs in the machine ahead of time, and interrupt the process until the two of you are ready for some intimacy. Once you're both mounted and ready, Pull the knob and let the tremors begin.
19. Stairway to Heaven
Also known as: Step Lively
Benefits: Good hand holds for your woman, and you don't have to wait until reaching the bedroom.
Technique:
Men, This is a variation on the Hot Seat with your woman sitting on top
of you while you sit on one of the stairs of a staircase. Stairs offer
good seating possibilities, and a handrail for extra support and lifting
leverage for her.
Tip: This unique incline provides ways to gently support the woman's weight as she descends the shaft, gently. Either the upper steps or the hand rails can give her a safe and supportive aid.
Caution: the lower steps of a flight are perhaps a safer option, if orgasm intensity impacts consciousness, leading to a tumble down the flight.
20. Heir to the Throne
Also known as: Lazy Girl
Benefits: The ultimate sex position for oral on the go, use this to get your woman in the mood and help her cut loose.
Technique:
Men, Have your woman sit on a chair with her legs wide open. You take
it from there. This is a good sex position for either beginning the slow
build-up with loose, broad, strokes, or ending with strong suction.
Your woman is able to easily guide you, and she’s able to get a full
view of you between her legs, which is a turn-on for many women.
Also try: Switch to a swivel chair and turn it left and right as you hold your tongue stationary.
Hot
tip: Insert your index and ring fingers and stroke in a "come hither"
motion to wake up her G-spot using this sex position. With either your
tongue or other hand, apply pressure to her pubic bone. This dual
stimulation executed just right will send your woman over the edge.
21. Seated Wheelbarrow
Also known as: Wheelbarrow at Rest
Benefits:
Less strenuous than the standing varieties of this sex position, while
still offering intense sensation. With less ability to thrust, this
position allows a guy to last longer before blowing his load.
Technique:
Men, A recliner or the edge of a bed will be handy for this. The man
is seated and lays back. The woman straddles over him, facing away from
him, and moves her vagina down his erect penis (as in Reverse Cowgirl.)
He begins to sit up and firmly holds her around her hips as she leans
down over his legs. The man firmly keeps his hold around her waist while
she extends her legs backward along either side of him. She continues
letting her torso lower down to the floor, while he’s holding her hips
firmly planted against his penis. She sets the motion while he enjoys a
great view and access to her anal assets. Try the wheelbarrow while
sitting on the edge of a bed or chair. Movement is limited, but
penetration is deep.
A nearby ottoman or other sturdy footrest can be helpful when the woman wants to transition her torso to facing down on his legs. She's then free to express tender affection to his feet and toes.
If
the woman is aroused by spanking or anal probing, this position easily
accommodates the lovers. A woman's orgasm may become more intense, if
her head is declining to lower altitude than her hips.
Hot tips
for him: Make some noise. Explore the deeper sexual response and energy
by letting loose with powerful sounds, a roar, perhaps? Have some oil
or lube nearby to give her a special anal massage and/or exploration.
22. Swiss Ball Blitz
Also known as: Romper Room
Benefits: See The Hot Seat. Also, adds bounce to your thrusts.
Technique:
Men, Have a big exercise ball in your workout room? Use a stability
ball to add some bounce to The Hot Seat. Sit on the ball with your feet
on the floor. Have your woman back up onto you, sitting between your
legs. Roll and bounce to it.
Let her do the grinding and pumping.
Even the slightest energy exerted with bring an amplified response, and
the thrill will exceed your biggest amusement ride fantasies.
Tips for him: She’ll have a great time, but your attention to her breasts with make it even more memorable.
Tips
for her: Tuck the big ball in the corner of the room if you want it to
stay securely put. It’ll allow you to focus on the pleasure and avoid an
injury visit to the ER. The nurses there just love to hear your
titillating red-faced explanations, but you’ll never live it down.
Chapter 3 Sideways Loving
23. Spoon, Facing
Also known as: Sidewinder
Benefits: A very intimate face-to-face position that encourages hugging and kissing.
Technique:
Men, This is an ideal position if your woman is pregnant or either one
of you had a knee injury because it keeps weight off the body. To get
into the position, begin by lying on your sides and facing one another.
Your woman spreads her legs slightly to allow you to enter her, then
closes her legs so the part of your shaft that's outside can press
against her clitoris. It's easy to kiss from this intimate face-to-face
position.
Also try: Because thrusting is more difficult in this
position, use different techniques such as grinding, circular, and
up-and-down motions for added stimulation.
Hot tip: Hug each
other for 20 seconds before getting busy. Hugging raises your levels of
oxytocin, a bonding hormone your body produces naturally, and that will
enhance your connection.
24. Spoon
Also known as: The Sleeper Hold
Benefits:
Comfortable sex position if your woman is pregnant or you're heavy.
Also ideal for long lovemaking. Good one for falling asleep afterward.
Technique:
Men, You both lie on your sides facing the same direction, you in back.
Your woman bends her knees and pushes her butt back toward you for
easier access to her vagina. Adjusting the lean of your bodies will vary
the angle of entry and help with rocking and thrusting.
Also
try: Synchronize your breathing. One of you takes the lead and the other
follows so that you inhale and exhale together. The coordinated rhythm
opens an unspoken dialogue of intimacy.
Hot tip: To give her the
sensation of greater width inside her, from the Spoon position, have her
bend and lift her top leg to her breasts. Adjust your position, so you
are more on top of her hip than behind her.
25. Gift Wrapped
Also known as: The Horny Mantis
Benefits: Relaxing position with deeper penetration and increased intimacy.
Technique:
Men, Both of you lie on your sides facing one another. Your woman bends
and spreads her legs, and angles her vagina toward you. You lift your
legs between hers to enter while she wraps her legs around your back.
Also try: She can use her legs and feet to pull you close during thrusts for deeper penetration.
26. Open-Legged Spoon
Benefits: It's everything you love about the classic spoon position, with the added opportunity for clitoris access.
Technique:
Men, From the spoon position above, the woman lifts her top leg and
drapes it backward over her penetrating man’s hips.
Hot tip: The
open-legged element of this position means the man in back can reach
around and play with his woman's clit—either with his hand or a
vibrator.
Concluding
In
part two, we’ll discuss option for horizontal intimacy, with thirty
variations in which men and women take turns being on top.
Join us next time, and enjoy some fun imagination; then plan on when & where to start mastering new coupling expressions.