The helicopter sex position is about to be the ride of your life
Is it challenging? Yes. Does it feel ah-mazing when you get it right? Also yes.
f you love adrenaline and you’re up for a challenge, add the helicopter sex position to your sexual bucket list. (See also: the butter churner and the superman.) In fact, penis-owners will need a certain level of flexibility to pull this one off, so you’re going to want to schedule a pre-flight safety check before take-off, says Annabelle Knight, sex and relationship expert at Lovehoney.
“Have them stand up straight, and if they’re able to point their penis directly down towards the ground quite comfortably, then that’s the first box ticked,” says Knight. “If it’s a dildo they’re sporting, you’ll want one on the more forgiving and flexible side.”
Besides the satisfaction of pulling it off, the helicopter also offers deep penetration and new angles of stimulation. It works for vaginal and anal sex, and if you’re into feet, you’re in for a treat. “If you’re partial to a foot massage or having your toes sucked—or your partner enjoys this—the helicopter gives you perfect access to play away,” says Knight.
To get in position, the receiver gets on all fours, like in doggy style. “The giver lies on top of them, balancing themselves on their arms, with their legs held in the air in a plank-like position and supporting themselves with their elbows or hands,” says
Charlotte Johnson, a sex and relationship expert at Mega Pleasure. If you can’t do it—no shame!—try something else. This is one of those positions that’s fun to try, but not required for optimal pleasure.
And if it feels like a little too much, adjust as needed. “If you’re doing the traditional helicopter, the giver might want to start out by propping their legs on a chair or a bed,” says Knight. Add any position modifications or props that’ll help you out. "If you or your partner have larger bodies, don't be afraid to explore using position wedges, pillows or sturdy ottomans to support and balance with," says Goody Howard, resident sex educator for Royal.
Ready to give it a shot? Below, you’ll learn how to do the OG helicopter position, some harder versions for when you’ve mastered it, and some easier variations.
The classic helicopter
Make sure everyone's done their warm-up stretches and such, and get on in there. To do this, “one partner gets on their hands and knees. The other stands over them in a downward dog with their head at the opposite end from their partner’s. As they slide inside, they lift their legs into the air so that they're supported on their hands and their hips are against their partner’s butt,” says O'Reilly.
The Irish garden
Need something a little more doable? “Slow things down by taking a stroll in the Irish garden—this position isn’t about vigorous thrusting or jackhammering; it’s about more sensual sex,” says Knight. “The giver sits upright, legs out in front and opened as wide as possible—a slight bend in the knees might make this more comfortable.” The receiver gets in doggy then backs up and inserts the penis/dildo into their vagina/anus, spreading their legs back on either side of their partner. (If it’s non-anal, but the receiver still wants their butt attended to, add a vibrating plug.) “The giver won’t be able to thrust much so it’ll be up to the receiver. Use hips to move up and down in a rocking motion, placing knees on the bed to make this easier.”
The Scissors
Turn it on its side in sort of a flipped spooning position for a less gravity-defying experience. “This allows the giver to thrust with a little more vigor,” says Knight. The receiver can add a bullet vibe or penis sleeve, depending on what works best for their anatomy and comfort.
The Cheat Sheet
Make it easier on the giver by having them rest their legs on a bed, sofa or chair. They’ll still have to do the push-up part with their hands, but they won’t have to use insane ab strength. Plus they’ll have more leverage for thrusting.
The Seashell
For a way more comfortable and doable version of the helicopter, flip it over. “The person being penetrated lies on their back, with their legs up in the air, at a wide angle, while the person penetrating enters like missionary,” says Johnson. “The person whose legs are in the air can move their legs further apart for a deeper stimulation.” Need even more going on? Throw a vibrating butt plug into the mix.
The Core-masutra
In this version, the penetrating partner lies on their back while the penetrator planks on top of them to thrust. Need a reward for your efforts? Try a wearable butterfly vibe.
The Wheelbarrow
Want an even tougher challenge? “This is a harder position to get into, and requires a lot of core and arm strength,” says Johnson. The payoff ? Deep penetration. The penetrating partner stands upright and holds the receiving partner's legs in the air, while the receiver uses their arms to lift themselves up, facing the penetrating partner.
The Lift and Shift
Prop up the bottom's pelvis with a positioning wedge and then go slowly to take advantage of the unconventional angle. “The thruster will be angling their penis (or dildo) downward to stroke into their partner. Think of a lift and shift motion,” says Howard. “A slow, downward angled stroke can add sensitivity to the head of the penis because it changes the turgor of the blood flowing into the erection, but take your time and listen to your body.”
The Grounded Helicopter
If it all seems too dangerous and possibly penis-breaking (a real thing!), go ahead and adapt the helicopter however you want. “You can modify it so that you’re both lying on your stomachs with heads on opposite ends,” says O'Reilly. “You still have to insert from an awkward angle, but this can be more comfortable if you prop up the lower partner’s hips.” This works way better for anal sex or with a more forgiving dildo.
Credit: Cosmopolitan