7 Sex Positions You Should Never Try With Your Partner

We get it. You’ve seen something that looked fun, athletic, and deeply satisfying in a movie or somewhere online, and now you and your partner are eyeing each other like, “Should we try that?”

Sometimes the answer is a joyful yes. But sometimes, the honest, loving, slightly embarrassing answer is a firm no.

Not every position that looks good on screen translates to a good time in real life. Some of them are physically dangerous, some are just deeply awkward, and a few are basically a fast track to an ER visit or a very uncomfortable conversation.

Great sex is about connection, communication, and pleasure, not proving you have the flexibility of a competitive gymnast. As therapists regularly point out, open dialogue about what feels good creates a stronger emotional bond and a more satisfying sexual relationship.

So before you add something wild to the rotation, here are seven positions worth skipping, and why your future self will thank you for it.

1. The Standing 69

In theory, this sounds impressively adventurous. In practice, it is a recipe for pulled muscles, a face full of floor, and at least one person quietly panicking about their balance.

One partner has to support the other completely while also, um, staying focused. The physics alone are working against you. Unless both of you are professional acrobats with excellent spatial awareness, this one almost always ends in a wobble, a tumble, or a very awkward untangling.

Save yourselves the embarrassment and keep your feet on the ground.

2. The Jackhammer

The name should tell you everything you need to know. This position prioritizes speed and force over everything else, including your partner’s comfort, enjoyment, and the general vibe of the evening.

Fast and aggressive does not equal good. For most women, this kind of pounding motion bypasses the spots that actually feel great and heads straight for soreness and disconnection.

Great sex has a rhythm, and rhythm is not the same as just going as hard and fast as possible. Slow down. Pay attention. The goal is pleasure, not a personal record.

3. The Pile Driver

The Pile Driver puts the receiving partner in an extreme folded position that cranks serious pressure onto the neck, upper back, and spine.

It might look like a power move, but it feels more like a chiropractic emergency. The angle is awkward, the pressure is intense, and very few people actually enjoy it once they are in it.

This is one of those positions that can cause real physical strain for both partners, not just the one folded in half. Hard pass.

4. The Wheelbarrow

You know what is not sexy? Muscle failure.

The Wheelbarrow has one partner holding the other’s legs up while they both try to stay coordinated and, you know, enjoy themselves. It sounds playful but quickly turns into a workout neither of you signed up for. Arms give out. Knees ache. Someone ends up face-down on the mattress wondering what happened to the romance.

Intimacy should feel good in your body, not like a CrossFit circuit. If you want to get physical together, go for a walk.

5. Reverse Cowgirl With No Support

Reverse Cowgirl on its own is a perfectly lovely position that many couples enjoy. The problem is when the receiving partner goes full freestyle with no support, no anchoring, and no communication.

The angle puts significant stress on the penetrating partner, and a slip or awkward landing can cause a penile fracture, which is genuinely as awful as it sounds. Research has consistently flagged woman-on-top variations as among the highest-risk positions for this type of injury.

The fix is simple: go slow, stay communicative, and make sure everyone has something to hold onto.

6. The Superman

This one lives in fantasy land. The Superman requires the penetrating partner to essentially lift and support the other person horizontally in mid-air, like a very specific superhero origin story.

In reality, it demands upper body strength most of us just do not have, and when it inevitably goes sideways (literally), the mood evaporates instantly.

Nothing breaks intimacy faster than the crash landing after a failed attempt at something that required four gym sessions and a spotter. Be a hero in other ways.

7. Double Penetration Without Proper Preparation

This one deserves a serious word, because skipping preparation here is not just uncomfortable, it can cause real injury.

The anatomy involved in any kind of double penetration is sensitive and demands patience, communication, and a gradual build-up that does not get skipped. Jumping in without that foundation can lead to pain, tearing, and a lot of regret.

Sexual wellness experts consistently emphasize that trust and communication are the foundation of healthy exploration. If this is something both partners genuinely want to explore, do the research, go slowly, and never skip the prep.

So What Actually Makes Sex Good?

Here is the thing about all seven of these positions: the issue is not just that they are physically risky. It is that they prioritize performance over presence. The best sex has nothing to do with how complex the position is or whether it looks impressive. It is about connection, comfort, and both people actually enjoying themselves.

Research backs this up pretty clearly. A recent study out of New Zealand found that women who have sex at least once a week report the highest relationship satisfaction, and therapists note that intimacy outside the bedroom, such as good communication, quality time, and physical affection, directly feeds into better experiences in it.

In other words, the couple who talks openly and feels emotionally safe together is going to have a much better time than the couple attempting to recreate a circus act. Keep it fun, keep it honest, and for the love of all things good, keep your feet on the ground.