We choose familiar sex positions, sometimes like always ordering the same snack at the movie theater—safe and comfortable. The classic missionary position and the faithful “cowgirl” position are like our M&M’s. But just like the occasional spicy “Red Hots,” exploring new positions can bring unexpected surprises when you’re craving a fresher, more satisfying sensory experience.
This list features 11 popular, effective sex positions that have been tested in practice. Whether you’re looking for romance or straight-up passion, there’s something to satisfy your cravings.
Favorite pose: Community Choice
The positions in this list, such as missionary, reverse riding, pretzel (crosswind), hard-on, and doggy style, are often mentioned by couples in the Love Pavilion community, sharing practical tips to enhance the experience. Doggy-style is particularly popular for the unique perspective it offers and the pleasure of ease of involvement (eg, hair gripping), while many people who prefer the depth and rhythm of the penetration favor riding and reverse riding.Whether your goal is to stimulate sensitive spots like the G-spot, prostate, or clitoris, or you’re looking for deep connection or a sense of control, there’s a position to satisfy your cravings. Here’s a closer look at each pose and how to optimize it:
Missionary Position: Classic Intimacy
– Method: The recipient lies on his back with the inserter positioned between his open legs.
– Benefits: Maximizes eye contact, full-body skin-to-skin contact and intimacy. The close distance makes it easy to whisper love words or have intimate conversations.
– Optimization tips:
– Insertion side: Support your body weight with your elbows or palms to avoid completely pressing on your partner. Try slightly adjusting the position of your hips (like moving up two inches) to find your partner’s sensitive areas (G-spot or prostate).
– Recipient: Try placing your legs flat or slightly adjusting your pelvic angle to change the sensation of stimulation.
– Enhance props:
– Waist pillow/sex wedge: placed under the recipient’s buttocks, it can increase the depth of insertion and make it easier to stimulate the deep vagina (such as point A and point C) or facilitate anal penetration.
– Vibrating Semen Locking Ring: Provides hands-free clitoral stimulation for the recipient, while also bringing extra pleasure to the inserting partner (if you have a penis).
– Wearable vibrating dildo: The vibration sensation can pleasure both parties at the same time.
Pretzel (Crosswind): Depth and Control
– Method: One party lies on his side and lifts his upper leg; the other party kneels and straddles his lower leg for penetration or genital friction.
– Advantages: Promotes deep penetration, makes movements more rhythmic and controllable, and enhances intimate connection.
– Optimization tips:
– Insertion side: You can adjust the angle and depth by supporting your partner’s raised leg with your hands as needed. If kneeling is uncomfortable, try standing (where your partner lies on his back with his legs on the edge of the bed).
– Lubrication is key: This position requires high lubrication. Choose a high-quality water-based or silicone-based lubricant to ensure comfort and smoothness (silicone-based is more durable, and water-based is compatible with condoms and silicone toys).
Bedside Standing (Edge of Glory): Effortless and deeper
– Method: The recipient lies on his back on the edge of the bed with his buttocks close to the edge of the bed; the inserter stands and inserts at the same height as the recipient’s buttocks.
– Advantages: The recipient can relax completely; the inserter uses floor levers to more easily control the rhythm.
– Optimization tips:
– Adjust the height: The bed height needs to match the height of the standing penis/toy.
– The bed is too low: Use a sex wedge under the recipient’s buttocks to raise the buttocks.
– The bed is too high: Consider using a sex swing or sling to suspend the recipient to the appropriate height.
Lotus Pose: Tantric Connection
– Method: The two parties sit cross-legged and face each other. The receiving party sits on the legs of the inserting party, wraps his legs around the waist of the inserting party, and embraces each other with his arms.
– Benefits: Ultimate intimacy, promotes eye contact, synchronized breathing and deep connection. Perfect for slow, loving sex. The recipient can use pelvic floor muscle contraction to enhance pleasure for both parties.
– Optimization tips:
– The emphasis is on connection and friction, not violent thrusting.
– Add stimulation: Add a wearable vibrator, such as a clitoral stimulator or a vibrating butt plug, to enhance pleasure. The vibration of an anal plug can sometimes be felt by the inserting party.
Starfish pose: relax and enjoy
– Method: The recipient lies on his back with his legs spread wide open in a “starfish” shape; the inserter kneels or sits astride him, with one leg under the recipient and one leg on top of him (scissors variation).
– Advantages: The recipient is completely relaxed. The angle of insertion is good for stimulating the G-spot, which may cause squirting. Facilitates genital friction (especially if both partners have vulvas or penises).
– Optimization tips:
– Inserting side: Can hold onto recipient’s ankles or chest for support and stability.
– Enhanced props: Massage wands: Especially suitable for cordless massage wands with handles (such as the We-Vibe Wand), which are easy to use for both the inserter and the receiver for extra stimulation.
Riding (Cowgirl): Controlling the Rhythm
– Method: The inserting party sits or lies on his back; the receiving party sits astride the inserting party, facing the inserting party.
– Advantages: The receiver has complete control over the tempo, depth and speed. Maximize eye contact, kissing, and verbal communication. Helps stimulate the G-spot.
– Optimization tips:
– Reduce knee pressure: Use a sex chair or sturdy cushion to provide support for the recipient.
– Adjust depth/firmness:
– The receiver can try to spread the knees to gain deeper penetration.
– Placing a lumbar pillow under the insertion square hip will facilitate deeper penetration.
– The receiver brings the legs together to increase tightness.
Reverse Riding: Control and Perspective
– Method: The inserting party lies on his back with his legs together; the receiving party faces away from the inserting party and sits astride him.
– Advantages: The recipient controls the rhythm and provides a unique stimulation angle (good for G-spot/prostate). The inserting party enjoys watching.
– Optimization tips:
– Receiver: Leaning forward and close to the insertion party’s feet can increase pressure on the G-spot/prostate; keeping the body upright facilitates deeper penetration.
– Multiple stimulation: The receiving party can self-stimulate the clitoris/penis with hands or a vibrator; the inserting party can be invited to stimulate the anus with fingers or use anal plugs/anal beads.
Doggy Style: Raw Passion
– Method: Support the receiving party on hands and knees (or lie prone and arch the buttocks); the inserting party kneels behind and enters.
– Advantages: Good for deep, fast or rhythmic penetration. It is easy to irritate the deep vagina (A point, cervix) or prostate. Inserting allows you to control the rhythm and make it easy to add other elements (such as light hair pulling, patting).
– Optimization tips:
– Adjust the depth: If you need to increase the length, consider a condom or extender.
– Visual connection: Do this in front of a mirror so both parties can see each other’s reactions.
– Lubrication: Adequate lubrication is critical.
Hard pressure: a taste of stimulation
– Method: Doggy style variation. The recipient lies on his stomach with his legs together; the inserter kneels on one knee next to his buttocks and can support it with his hands or lie prone on the recipient’s back.
– Advantages: The recipient brings his legs together to limit the depth of penetration, focusing the stimulation on the sensitive nerves near the entrance of the vagina/anus (such as G-spot, P-spot). Provides firmness and envelopment.
– Optimization tips:
– Enhanced stimulation: Either party can use an anal plug to increase pleasure (the receiving party needs to choose a small base). The recipient can wear a wearable vibrator.
– Inserting partner: Lying prone on the receiving partner’s back can increase intimacy and pressure.
Side entry (spoon): lazy and intimate
– Method: Both parties lie on their sides, with the receiving party in front and the inserting party entering from behind.
– Advantages: Relaxing, low-intensity, suitable for tiredness or morning sex. The inserter can hug the recipient, kiss the neck, and caress the chest to add intimacy and romance.
– Optimization tips:
– Spice it up: Great for adding in sensory play, such as using a blindfold, nibbling/kissing the neck, gently pulling the hair, and using nipple clamps. Also facilitates gentle restraints (such as forearm restraints).
– Adjust the angle: Finely adjust the leg position (such as the receiver lifting the upper leg) to change the insertion angle and depth.
Side Lying 69 (Lazy 69): A comfortable choice for mutual oral sex
– Method: Both parties lie on their sides, with their heads facing each other’s genitals, and their bodies bent into a C shape, and perform oral sex on each other.
– Advantages: Very labor-saving, no “up or down” distinction, suitable for couples with large weight differences or mismatched heights. Provide equal mutual pleasure.
– Optimization tips:
– Relieve dry mouth: Use edible flavored lubricants to increase saliva production and interest.
– Auxiliary tools: If your mouth or jaw is tired, you can use sex toys that simulate the sensation of oral sex (such as sucking or vibrating toys) to continue stimulating your partner.
Keys to Exploration: Communication and Comfort
The core of trying new positions is open communication, mutual respect, and a focus on comfort. Make full use of lubricant and adjust the position or rhythm at any time according to the physical sensations of both parties. Most importantly, enjoy the process of shared exploration and intimate connection. Finding a position that brings pleasure and satisfaction to both of you is the real “sweet spot.”