Sex Positions That Put a Fun Spin on the Classic Move

AS FAR AS sex positions go, missionary sometimes gets a bad rap (the word “vanilla” comes to mind) – but we say it’s highly underrated. Here’s proof. A 2024 survey by Superdrug Online Doctor found that missionary is actually one of the top five favourite sex positions for both men and women.

It holds the number 2 slot for men and number 3 for women, with 24% of men and 20% of women citing it as their go-to. Men reported that missionary allows them to easily control how deep they’re thrusting while also offering amazing eye contact. Women, meanwhile, claim that being able to make out during sex is a huge bonus.

Missionary was also ranked as one of the top 3 positions for both men and women when it came to having the best orgasm, as well as the fastest orgasm. And no surprise here: this position came out on top for “connecting with a partner” during sex, with 52% of men and 60% of women saying it provides superior emotional intimacy – likely because it brings partners face to face and provides lots of skin-to-skin contact.

In case you’re still not sold, men rated missionary as the best position for lasting the longest during sex, and women rated it as the second-best position for achieving multiple orgasms. The lesson? There’s something for everyone when it comes to missionary, folks.

Sure, missionary may not involve a lot of exciting acrobatics. But therein lies the beauty of this position: since there’s not a lot of athletic prowess required, you and your partner can both focus on what really matters: having fun – and ideally, getting off. Still, traditional missionary may not be for everyone. According to sex educator Luna Matatas, some people may find the eye contact, closeness, angle, or depth to be too intense. The good news? Missionary is one of the most versatile and adaptable positions of all time – and sometimes all it takes is a minor adjustment to make it more pleasurable for everyone involved.

Classic Missionary: How to do it: In the classic version of missionary, the bottom (receptive partner) lies on their back. The top (insertive partner) lies on top. The bottom partner’s legs are placed beside the top partner’s shins.

Pros and cons: See the intro!

Classic Missionary With a Vibrating Cock Ring: How to do it: It’s the same as classic missionary (see above), but the insertive partner wears a vibrating cock ring to give a receiving partner with a vulva some extra stimulation.

Pros and cons: Not only can cock rings boost the size and strength of an erection, but the vibrations can also feel good on the receiver’s clit. ‘Adding a vibrating cock ring can feel great against the external clitoral parts while the internal parts are being stimulated through penetration,’ Matatas says. That said, if the top wants to thrust rather than grind, the bottom might not get consistent clit stimulation from the toy (but if they like being teased, then everybody wins).

The Moutain Climber: How to do it: In the spread eagle sex position, the receiving partner lies on their back, legs up and spread in a V. The penetrating partner mounts them by putting their hands on either side of the receiving partner’s shoulders.

Pros and cons: The spread eagle is great for couples who enjoy deep penetration. Plus, it works well for vaginal and anal penetration. ‘This might be a hard position on the hips and thighs to hold for a long period of time,’ Matatas says, so make sure you stretch first!

The Spread Eagle: How to do it: It’s like regular missionary, only the top is elevated on their hands in a plank position.

Pros and cons: The top can really thrust all the way in and out in this position. It’s great for hard sex, but you have to have a strong core and shoulders. ‘It isn’t a great position for the stamina of the person on top,’ Matatas says. ‘It can also feel like too much uncoordinated powerful thrusting for the person receiving, as it’s harder to get good angles for the G-spot in this position.’

Credit: menshealth.com.uk