1
Spooning
How to: Both partners lie on their sides facing the same direction, with the penetrating partner in back. The receiver bends their knees and pushes their rear back toward their partner for easier access to their anus. Adjusting the lean of your bodies will vary the angle of entry and help with rocking and thrusting.
Benefits: Tanner recommends spooning because it’s slow, intimate, and naturally limits depth, which is ideal for people trying anal penetration for the first time. Prezant also likes this side-lying position because it doesn’t require a ton of physical effort and allows for gradual exploration.
2
Rider on Top (Cowgirl)
How to: The giving partner lies down on the bed, and the receiving partner straddles them, lowering down onto their penis or strap-on. Then, the receiver “rides” the giver.
Benefits: This is one of the best beginner-friendly positions because the receiving partner controls depth, speed, and angle of penetration, Tanner says. That can make it easier to experience your first anal orgasm.
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3
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: Prezant recommends lifted missionary because it can create a more comfortable angle of penetration and help partners maintain eye contact, allowing them to easily read each other’s reactions.
4
Modified Doggy Style
How to: The receiver assumes the regular doggy style position, but with their chest down on the bed and a pillow under their elevated hips. The giver then enters them from behind.
Benefits: Tanner recommends this modified version of doggy style because it can help limit depth of penetration and keep things slow and controlled.
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5
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: Because the receiver is lying flat on their back, this position can help release pelvic floor tension compared to other configurations where the receiver has to hold themselves up, says Tanner. This makes the position more comfortable and beginner-friendly.
Sean Abrams was the Senior Editor, Growth and Engagement at Men’s Health. He’s a former hip hop dancer who likes long walks on the beach and large glasses of tequila. You can find his previous work at Maxim, Elite Daily, and AskMen.
