17 Missionary Sex Variations That Put a Fun Spin on the Classic Position
These moves are anything but boring.
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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. And the data backs us up: Time and time again, missionary ranks among the top favorite sex positions. In fact, it was the second-most popular position after doggy style, according to a 2024 global Bedbible study, with 22.5 percent of respondents saying it’s their go-to move.
What classic missionary might lack in “creativity” it more than makes up for in intimacy. Both men and women said missionary was the best position to connect with a partner, per another 2024 study. And experts agree: Missionary remains a popular choice “because of the connection, the closeness, and the eye contact that it affords,” Ian Kerner, sex therapist and author of She Comes First, previously told Men’s Health.
Of course, this position comes with plenty of physical perks, too. Men ranked missionary as the top position for lasting longer, while women ranked it the second (after cowgirl) for achieving multiple orgasms. Plus, all survey respondents, regardless of gender, said it was a top position for having the “best” orgasm. Some solid reasons to keep missionary in your regular rotation, right?
And here’s one more: Good sex—whether it’s missionary or a variation—is good for you. “Research shows the more often you have good sex, the more you desire it,” says Laurie Mintz, PhD, sex therapist, psychologist, and author of Becoming Cliterate. “Those with satisfying sex lives report greater relationship satisfaction, and some studies even show sexual satisfaction increases overall life satisfaction.”
So, if you and your sexual partner like missionary, keep having it. This position isn’t just popular, it’s also versatile—consider these 17 variations proof. Once you start to play with angles, rhythm, and accessories, missionary quickly becomes anything but basic.
17 Missionary Position Variations
At Men’s Health, we aim to describe sexual experiences as inclusively as possible. While the positions on this list have traditionally been associated with penis-in-vagina sex, they can be adapted by couples of all genders and sexual orientations and identities. We encourage readers to modify any position to suit their bodies, preferences, and needs. To avoid making assumptions about gender or anatomy, we use non-gendered language throughout this article. The “giving partner” or “giver” refers to the partner doing the penetrating, whether with a penis, a strap-on, or even fingers. The “receiving partner” or “receiver” refers to the partner being penetrated, either vaginally or anally.
Classic Missionary With a Vibrating Cock Ring
How to: This position is the same as classic missionary, wherein the receiving partner lies on their back, while the giving partner enters them from above. But here, the penetrating partner wears a vibrating cock ring (we like this one from We-Vibe) for extra stimulation.
Benefits: Not only can cock rings boost the size and strength of an erection, butadding vibration into a familiar position can completely change the sensation for both partners, says Mintz. “The penis and the vulva both have special receptors just for vibration,” she explains, “so this position gives all partners that type of amazing stimulation.”
Pro tip: Finding the right angle is what takes this position from good to great. “For heterosexual couples, have the receiver tilt their pelvis up so the giver with the vibrating cock ring hits the clitoris,” says Kate Balestrieri, PsyD, sex therapist, psychologist, and author of What Happened to My Sex Life?.
Besides being mindful of the angle, it’s helpful to know the receiver’s sensation preferences. Here’s why: “Depending on the shape of the toy and how far one’s clitoris is from the vaginal opening, it may feel more like teasing the clit—which some women love, but others find frustrating,” says Mintz.
We-Vibe Pivot
We-Vibe Pivot
The Mountain Climber
How to: The receiving partner lies on their back, while the penetrating partner shifts into a plank position above them, supporting their weight through their arms and core.
Benefits: If you’ve got the stamina, this position can create a full-body experience as the giver can better ground their partner’s body and guide movement with deep and powerful thrusts, says Balestrieri.
Pro tip: Small adjustments make the biggest difference here. “Place a wedge or pillow under the receiver’s hips to create a better angle for easier G-spot or P-spot stimulation,” says Balestrieri. (Our pick? The Liberator Wedge.)
That said, this one can quickly turn into more of a physical test than a turn-on. “This position takes a lot of core and shoulder strength for the penetrating partner,” says Mitz. “If the workout aspect distracts from pleasure, it may not be a great position for many couples.”
The Spread Eagle
How to: In the spread eagle sex position,the receiving partner lies on their back, lifting their legs into a wide V-position. The giving partner leans over the receiver, placing their hands on either side of their partner’s shoulders for support, and enters them.
Benefits: This is one of the few missionary-style positions that puts the receiving partner in the driver’s seat. “As the receiver can adjust the angle of their hips to allow for more or less penetration, it keeps them in control,” says Balestrieri. However, if the receiver would rather just lie back and enjoy the ride, the giver can guide their partner’s legs and hips to control the depth.
Pro tip: If the stretch starts to feel a little much on the hips for the receiver, Balestrieri recommends they wrap their legs around the giver’s waist.
And as with any deep-penetration position, comfort matters. “Many women (especially those with endometriosis) find deep penetration painful, so positions like this will generally not work well for them,” cautions Mitz. To help, she recommends using a depth-limiting device like the Ohnut.
The Open Pincer
How to: Similar to the Spread Eagle, the receiving partner lifts their legs into a wide V while the penetrating partner stays in a more upright kneeling position. From here, they can hold their partner's ankles for support.
Benefits: “The Open Pincer is considered a tantric position as it allows for eye gazing while syncing breath together,” says Balestrieri. And for those who fancy some extra clitoral or penile stimulation during penetration, this position allows for that, too. A win-win for all.
Pro tip: If the position starts to feel tough on the giver’s knees, a simple switch can keep the pleasure going.“Rock back so the giver lies on their back while the receiver takes the top and controls the movement,” says Balestrieri.
The Jackknife
How to: From classic missionary, the receiving partner lifts one leg and wraps it around the giving partner’s back or waist, keeping the other leg neutral.
Benefits: The Jackknife can quickly dial up both sensation and connection in all the right ways thanks to the slight shift in angle. “This allows for more targeted G- or P-spot stimulation as there’s a lot more room for the receiver to adjust their hips or arch their backs,” says Balestrieri. (In other words, hello Big O.)
Pro tip: Keep in mind, though, comfort can vary. “This one can be difficult depending on where one’s bellies make contact,” says Mintz. That said, it’s a great option for those who enjoy deeper thrusting, according to Balestrieri. “But if it gets too much for the receiver, the giver can emphasize circular movements or grind around the pubic area,” she says.
Full Wrap
How to: This position is similar to Jackknife—the only real difference is that the receiver wraps both legs around the giver.
Benefits: This missionary variation is all about closeness. “The more connected skin-to-skin contact increases intensity,” says Balestrieri. Plus, the snug positioning of both partners’ bodies helps maintain a steady rhythm and consistent feel-good friction.
Pro tip: To make the most of the closeness, Balestrieri encourages the giving partner to focus less on speed and more on controlled thrusts—or even a subtle grind.
Flat Back Missionary
How to: If you’re feeling adventurous or just can’t wait to get home, take things to the backseat. Fold the seats down flat to create a makeshift surface for a missionary-style position.
Benefits: The close quarters and element of spontaneity can make even the most basic missionary position feel badass. “Some people love the element of risk, making this extra exciting,” says Mintz.
Pro tip: Being seen while having car sex can make for a hot exhibitionist fantasy, but to keep things stress-free (not to mention, legal), take your rearview rendezvous somewhere more private. Mintz recommends trying this position in your garage (with the car off). You’ll get the same novelty without the potential repercussions.
Stand and Deliver
How to: The giver stands at the edge of a bed or desk while the receiver lies back and raises their legs to their chest. The receiver’s knees are bent as if they're doing a "bicycling" exercise (one or both ankles can be on the giver’s shoulders, if comfortable). The giver then enters the receiver, holding onto their hips or waist for support.
Benefits: This position allows the giver to get good leverage while penetrating, while also making it easy to incorporate external stimulation, especially if the receiver has a clitoris. Either partner can use a bullet or wand vibrator to enhance the receiver’s pleasure and increase their likelihood of orgasm, says Mintz.
Pro tip: A vibrator is your teammate, not your competition. “Women who use vibrators with partners have easier and more frequent orgasms and more sex and relationship satisfaction,” says Mintz. “So, all in all, this is a fantastic position for the pleasure of people with vulvas!”
Reclining Missionary
How to: If you have a sex swing, then you’ve got everything you need to try reclining missionary. The receiving partner leans back into the swing, holding the straps for support, while the giving partner stands close and enters from the front.
Benefits: Sometimes, switching things up can take missionary to new heights. “Novelty enhances arousal, and a sex swing is certainly a novelty,” says Mintz, adding that this suspended position is also great for ass-grabbing, clitoral stimulation, and a little extra hands-on exploration.
Pro tip: “Using a swing can be a great way to play with different positions, not otherwise available to partners,” says Balestrieri, adding that it’s an interesting way to play with vulnerability and trust.
Shoot The Moon
How to: Similar to Stand and Deliver the receiving partner lies near the edge of the bed while the penetrating partner stands facing them. But in this position, the receiver lifts their legs straight up, and the giver holds their partner’s ankles for support.
Benefits: For couples with height differences, this is a great position to try because “the angle of both bodies can be easily adjusted,” says Balestrieri. “The giver can also angle themselves for deeper penetration that aligns with the receiver’s G-spot or P-spot.”
Pro tip: For added comfort, Balestrieri recommends adding a pillow or wedge under the receiver’s hips. “This will alleviate some of the pressure from their back or neck,” she says.
Locked and Loaded
How to: It’s like classic missionary, only both partners keep their legs pressed close together.
Benefits: This variation shifts the movement focus from thrusting to grinding, which can increase external stimulation and provide added pleasure.“As the giver’s pubic bone and the receiver’s vulva or perineum are aligned and in close quarters, it makes the friction of the grinding more accessible and intense,” Balestrieri says.
Pro tip: Want to amplify that sensation even more? Why not introduce some toys? “This can be a great position to add a cock ring, or other vibrator for extra stimulation,” says Balestrieri.
The Launch Pad
How to: The receiving partner lies on their back and places their feet on their partner’s chest while the penetrating partner kneels in front of them.
Benefits: This position gives the receiving partner more control over the depth of penetration, depending on where their feet are placed—the higher the feet, the shallower the penetration. “This position is especially good for women with trauma histories, given the control it affords them,” says Mintz.
Pro tip: If this position starts to feel tough on the giver’s knees or difficult to sustain in general, a simple switch can help. “Have the giving partner on their back with the receiving partner sitting on top of them with their feet on their partner’s chest or next to their body for more stability,” says Balestrieri. (Basically, transition into the cowgirl position.)
The CAT (Coital Alignment Technique)
How to: The CAT (Coital Alignment Technique) may look identical to regular missionary, but it slightly differs in important ways. Instead of thrusting into the receiver, the giver should focus more on grinding their body against the receiving partner's clitoris.
Benefits: While not exclusive to female-presenting bodies, this position was originally designed to allow for clitoral stimulation during intercourse and help people with vulvas orgasm, Mintz says.
Pro Tip: Small changes see big results here. “There are several variations to try with this,” says Mintz. “For example, place a pillow under the receiving partner's hips, do it with the receiving partner on top, or have one partner move up while the other moves down.”
Legs on Shoulders
How to: Just as the name says, the receiving partner lies back and lifts their legs onto the giving partner’s shoulders. Then, the giver enters them as they would in regular missionary.
Benefits: “The sharp angle of this position can tilt the pelvis to allow very deep penetration, creating excellent access to the G-spot or P-spot, by putting the pressure straight against those areas,” says Balestrieri.
Pro Tip: If the depth or stretch feels too much, a small adjustment can make things more comfortable, Balestrieri says. “The giving partner can remain more vertical, like a 90-degree angle, to keep the penetration deep without as much strain,” she adds.
The Pretzel
How to: The receiving partner lies on their side while the penetrating partner positions themselves between their legs. The receiver then bends their top leg and wraps it around the giver’s waist, aligning partners’ genitals.
Benefits: It may feel like a game of naked Twister, but this position opens things up in all the right ways. With both partners’ hands free, there’s plenty of opportunities to explore the erogenous zones, Balestrieri says. “Stimulate the clitoris, nipples, perineum, or anus without any awkward angles or interruptions.”
Pro tip: Spice things up by flipping things around. “This position can be a great missionary beginning, and what can be a fun variation is for the receiver to flip to their stomach,” says Balestrieri. “Move out of a missionary position for however long partners decide, and then switch back, reconnecting with eye contact.”
Lifted Missionary
How to: The receiving partner places a pillow or wedge under their hips, while the giving partner kneels over and enters them, using the elevated angle to guide body alignment.
Benefits: This position can be a more comfortable one for those with bigger bellies. “The elevation of the pelvis removes the need for the giving partner to compress their belly against the other person,” says Balestrieri. This allows for a fuller range of motion and comfortable depth of penetration without any added pressure or strain.
Pro tip: While it’s a hot and sexy position, it may not be for everyone. “Lifted missionary requires a great deal of strength on the penetrating partner’s part and may not be comfortable for the receiving partner,” says Mintz.
Upright Missionary
How to: From a staniding position, the giving partner lifts the receiving partner (with the option to support them against a wall). Meanwhile, the receiver wraps their legs around the giver’s waist. (Don’t forget to bend with your knees!)
Benefits: This position takes classic missionary out of the bedroom and adds some gotta-have-you-now intensity. “The extra strength and coordination can translate into more controlled, powerful, and precisely angled thrusts,” says Balestrieri. Worth it if you can pull it off.
Pro tip: If things start to feel more like a workout than what you’re used to, modify it. “Placing the receiving partner on a counter can help make this position more sustainable for the giving partner,” says Balestrieri.
Annita Katee is a writer and editor covering health, wellness, travel, beauty, and the occasional DIY mishap. She has bylines in Well + Good, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Domino, and Apartment Therapy, among others. Born in Sydney and now based in Los Angeles, she’s happiest by the ocean, doing a DIY, or binge-watching reality TV with a crochet hook in hand. She's also the author and illustrator of two children’s books. Find her at @annitakatee.
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