7 Flexible Sex Positions to Heat Up Your Usual Routine
These will test your limits in the very best ways possible.
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If you and your partner find yourselves returning to the same reliable sex positions that give you the easiest orgasms, congratulations—you’re completely normal! “We are creatures of habit and most of us end up with three or four go-to positions,” says sex educator Rebecca Blanton, aka Auntie Vice, cohost of the Fat Chicks on Top podcast. Knowing what you like and being consistent are important parts of a healthy sex life, but if you want to make sex even better, consider throwing in some new tricks—crazier, more flexible and varied versions of your go-to faves. It’s good for you! “Changing up positions for something new adds spice and excitement to your love life,” says Blanton.
The point of a flexible sex position isn’t to do it perfectly, but to have fun trying and bond over the dopamine hit of a new adventure. “Sexual variety is linked with greater sexual satisfaction. One study found that women who switch it up and try new positions orgasm more often,” says resident sexologist for the erotic ethical porn site FrolicMe, Suzannah Weiss, author of Eve's Blessing: Uncovering the Lost Pleasure Behind Female Pain.
Fair warning: Some of these positions might involve twisting your bod in ways it doesn’t usually go, or doesn’t want to go. Totally fine, don’t push it—just make some tweaks until you find something that works for you. If anything feels painful or off, try another position on the list, or return to your tried-and-trues. There is literally no shame in that. The whole point is to feel good, try something new together, and have fun.
Ready to have an adventure? Below, seven expert-recommended positions to get you there.
The Pretzel Dip
How to Do It: Add a literal twist to your sex life! The receiving partner lies on their side. The penetrating partner kneels or sits to straddle the receiving partner’s leg. Then, add the final twist by having them wrap their leg around the giver’s waist. If it doesn’t feel quite right, adjust body parts as needed. "What may work for some may not be pleasurable for others,” says Evie Plumb, sexpert for Here We Flo and founder of Cliterally the Best, a sex-positive educational platform and podcast.
Pros: It has the deep penetration of doggy style, but adds more intimate eye contact.
Cons: You might need a little extra something for clitoral stimulation. Luckily, you’ll have plenty of room for fingers or a clit-sucking toy.
Switch It Up: Recreate the glory of early make-out sessions by trying a no-penetration version. You can even do it fully clothed. Press a vibrator between your bodies and grind against each other.
Make It Hotter: If you really love grinding, slather on an arousal gel to make it even more intense. The receiver can use their hooked leg to keep it at slow grind.
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The Octopus
How to Do It: The giver sits on the floor with their legs apart and their knees slightly bent. The receiver straddles their partner’s lap, then puts their legs over their shoulders. Try a rocking motion against each other instead of a thrusting.
Pros: Lots of face-to-face contact, maximum internal stimulation, and fun of trying to get in position.
Cons: It can be hard to arrange yourselves, especially if you're super-focused on penetration. To make it easier, try it on a harder surface like a rug on a floor instead of a squishy bed.
Switch It Up: Anyone who has a clit can amp up their stimulation with a panty vibe. One with a magnet will keep the vibe in place—just keep panties on and work around them.
Make It Hotter: Since you’re already facing each other, this transfers perfectly to a mutual masturbation scenario. Just scoot backwards from each other, keeping your legs intertwined and masturbate with hands or toys while watching each other.
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The Prima Ballerina
How to Do It: If you know what the Arabesque position is in ballet, this might be your jam. “The receiving partner leans against the wall using their arms and upper body for support, then lifts one of their legs behind them. Their partner comes from behind and wraps their arm around the back of the lifted leg (this stabilizes both them and the leg),” explains Laura Rose Halliday, sexpert and the founder of School of Squirt.
Pros: “It’s incredibly versatile, allowing for either vaginal, anal, or oral play. It also allows for deep penetration and the angle is just right for hitting the upper wall of the vagina,” Halliday says.
Cons: This is great for internal stimulation, not so much for external. Enlist the help of a lube-y hand or a toy to take this over the top.
Switch It Up: Try it anally. The giver can either lube up and slowly slide in, or if you’re more at the beginner anal stage, the giver can pump between the giver’s lubed up ass cheeks without fully going in.
Make It Hotter: Because of the deep upper wall stimulation, this could be a squirting-conducive position. Use consistent firm stimulation of the upper wall of the vagina.
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The London Bridge
How to Do It: The receiver gets into the bridge position by resting on their elbows, planting their feet flat, and lifting their hips up. “It requires quite a bit of core strength,” notes Halliday. The giver kneels between the receiver’s legs to enter.
Pros: The angle of this makes it ideal for targeted upper vaginal wall stimulation. And there’s plenty of opportunity for sexy eye contact.
Cons: If this bridge will not hold, there’s no shame in enlisting the help of a sex pillow to prop the receiver’s hips up.
Switch It Up: Change the dynamics by having the receiver control the action. They thrust toward their partner, widen and tighten their knees, and/or do whatever they want while the giver keeps still.
Make It Hotter: Have you heard of a coregasm? The key is the receiver keeping their core engaged throughout. “The combination of vaginal penetration plus core engagement can lead to one of the most mind-blowing orgasms you’ve ever had!" says Halliday.
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The Swingers
How to Do It: The receiving partner sits in the sex swing and puts their feet in the foot straps, if the swing has them. If not, they just spread their legs for their partner to enter. The giver stands to thrust and the receiver holds the hell on to the straps
Pros: Sex swings allow the receiver to angle themselves for optimally deep penetration. They’re also a great tool for people with mobility issues. “Sex swings allow the receptive partner to be in positions where there is little to no body strength required and the penetrating partner has a greater range of motion. These are especially helpful if you have limited strength, paralysis of a limb (or more), or back and joint issues,” says Blanton.
Cons: Requires some prep, buying the swing, setting it up, etc… Don’t wait until you’re mid-lust to unbox a new swing. Figure it all out beforehand so you can safely hop on and go.
Switch It Up: Build anticipation and suspense by blindfolding the receiver. They'll be suspended in the air, awaiting the next touch.
Make It Hotter: Go even harder on the inherent BDSM aspects of a swing by using the straps to tie up the receiver’s wrists and enhance the sense of complete submission. Add some temperature play (with enthusiastic consent, of course) with ice cubes, warming or cooling lube, a chilled dildo, etc…
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Fetch
How to Do It: Make fetch happen by having sex on a yoga ball. (“Doggy + ball = fetch!” says Weiss.) One partner lies over on the yoga ball and the other penetrates from behind. The standing partner keeps a firm stance to keep the whole operation steady(ish).
Pros: This has all the benefits of doggy style, like deep penetration, but adds some extra bounce. “The ball allows you to bend and readjust your position to get the optimal angle, and the bounciness will definitely keep you on your toes, literally,” she says.
Cons: It can feel a little too wobbly. Try leaning the ball against a wall or bed. If it still feels wiggly, the receiver can put their feet on the ground.
Switch It Up: Try it with oral. The receiver can drape themselves over the ball—face down or face up works—and their partner kneels next to the ball between the receiver’s legs. The giver harnesses the power of the yoga ball by rocking back and forth to glide the receiver over their mouth.
Make It Hotter: If you’re feeling extra brave, the giver can sit on the ball and hold the receiver on their lap. Gently bounce up and down to let the ball give your thrusts some extra oomph.
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The Butterfly
How to Do It: The giver stands next to a bed or sturdy table. The receiver shimmies to the edge and hooks their legs over the penetrating partner's shoulders.
Pros: Besides the extremely deep penetration, you both get an amazing view of the giver’s penis or dildo thrusting.
Cons: The receiver will need some flexibility to get their legs over their partner’s shoulders. It that’s not comfortable, they can rest their knees on their partner’s chest, or just keep their legs lowered.
Switch It Up: If the penetrating partner is feeling strong, they can lift the receiver’s hips for a deeper plunge. “This gives you a new and sexy angle of each other!” she says.
Make It Hotter: This position is very conducive to dirty talk. If you need a start, try describing what you’re seeing (i.e. how wet/hard/generally sexy the other person looks), how much you love the way they fuck, or just how the good other person feels.
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