Best sex positions for men: 10 ways to boost pleasure and performance

Sex. Most of us love it, and most of us wish we had more of it. In fact, it’s a pretty common wish, even among those who’re already in formal relationships, with almost half of Aussies surveyed saying they wanted more sex [1].

Quantity is important, but having a root isn’t just about the frequency but also about the quality. Nearly half of Aussie blokes have some form of sexual difficulty, but have you thought about trying something new [2]?

Positions matter more than we’d like to think, and like a good toolbox, each position brings something different to the bedroom. Let’s go through some of the top ways you can spice things up and turn mind-numbing into mind-blowing.

Why sex positions matter for men

Different positions mean changing the essential factors of good sex for you and your partner. These include:

• Angle
• Depth
• Pace
• Pressure
• Bodily contact

There’s also the level of effort to account for. If your quads are shaking and you’re trying desperately to hold it together, that flashy move you saw on the Hub probably isn’t the way to go.

Research shows us that a relatively small proportion of women orgasm from intercourse alone [3]. Furthermore, another study found that 36.6% of women needed clitoral stimulation during intercourse, with another 36% saying they didn’t need it, but it improved the quality of their orgasms [4].

Good sex isn’t just about satisfying yourself but also giving that same satisfaction to your partner. And that’s something nearly all blokes agree with, with a 2025 survey revealing that 90% of Aussies report that their partner’s pleasure is the most important part of sex [5].

With all that in mind, positions should consider both sides of the coin because the key to better sex is ultimately that you’re both getting a rise out of it.

What makes a position “good” for a man’s sex life?

Good positions are ones that you can actually maintain comfortably and ones that work for both people.

It sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed at the number of blokes who’re just trying to recreate what they’ve watched online. The truth is, the best positions tend to target issues like:

• Controlling rhythm
• Managing arousal
• Keep going for longer

Think beyond what feels good during the first 30 seconds. You’ll know that you’ve hit the right button when you’re both getting pleasure through closeness, friction, and, of course, communication. 

Top sex positions for men

You don’t want to be boring in the bedroom, so broadening your horizons and exploring new sex positions can be an eye-opening experience.

Firstly, what’s Australia’s favourite sex position? Beyond traditional desires like a good blow job, one survey found that more than half of Aussies spend most of their time with the classic missionary position, followed by doggy style and cowgirl [6].

With that in mind, let’s go through the top 10, so you can be inspired to up the ante with your partner.

Missionary position (the all-rounder) 

You know it, you love it, and it’s probably your best mate. Missionary style is often viewed as basic, but it’s basic in the same way that wearing a white t-shirt is. It’s always functional, easy to work with, and gets the job done.

You’ve got face-to-face intimacy and full-body contact, simple communication, kissing, and everyone can do it. It’s also easy to customise, like putting a pillow under the receiving partner’s hips or getting them to raise their legs to play with the angles and change the experience.

Cowgirl position (for visual connection) 

Hand over complete control to your partner if you’re the type to get overexcited and use your doodle like you’re jackhammering the road. Cowgirl puts your partner in the driver's seat and lets them control the angle, speed, and depth.

You’ve also got a strong visual connection, and it gives you a free hand for running a circular motion and achieving G-spot stimulation. Additionally, it takes the pressure off yourself because you’re not doing all the physical work.

Reverse cowgirl (for deeper penetration) 

Visually, reverse cowgirl is one of the standout stunners, but it’s so much more than that. Reverse cowgirl massively alters the depth and sensation. It’s not uncommon to feel like you’re upgrading the internal stimulation and getting a greater sense of fullness.

Despite the name, this isn’t like riding a raging bull going in the same direction. It tends to work best with slower, controlled movements that allow you to actually stay in the moment.

Doggy style (for rhythm and power)

Doggy style is another top choice because of the deeper penetration it offers when you’re going in from the back. For blokes, it’s usually ranked as one of the favourites, as you can thrust harder and faster. Again, the secret to a ripper of a doggy style session isn’t raw power but controlled force.

Thrust too hard and too fast, and it could tip you over the cliff edge too quickly. Done right, and you’ve got a move that’s dominant and intense.

Spooning (for intimacy and stamina)

Spooning isn’t seen as sexy, and is often associated with being lazy (or hungover), but it’s criminally underrated. It’s intimate and takes the pressure off of being a sex superstar. When you’re lying down, there’s less strain for both of you, while also opening the door to a slower rhythm.

Managing your stamina and staying hard without overthinking were problems made for spoon-based sex. Likewise, if you’re constantly in your own head, turning down the intensity can make the whole experience better for everyone.

Standing position (for a workout and variety)

Standing sex transforms the energy of the encounter. It can feel spontaneous and dangerous all in one, whether you’re in the shower, the kitchen, or practically anywhere else. It’s also one of the easiest positions to turn the hottest thing into a balance exam.

Choose a sturdy surface like a bench or a wall, and don’t feel like the support has to come entirely from your end. Find the place that works for you and don’t let your ego get in the way by choosing an intentionally awkward location. 

Edge of the bed (for maximum control)

Standing sex might bring chaos, but edge-of-the-bed sex gives you the exact opposite, which is total control. Essentially, the receiving partner lies near the edge of the bed while you stand upright or go down into a kneeling position.

What it gives you is more leverage and a straighter angle to control the pace and depth. For older blokes, it’s also easier on your back than many of the other new positions on this list. You can also add some spice by combining it with oral, groping, and kissing.

Lotus position (for slower, connected sex)

Despite the name, the lotus position in this context has nothing to do with yoga or the ability for you to twist your body into some dodgy position. Simply sit upright while your partner straddles you.

The lotus position is less about pure power and more about breathing, closeness, and staying connected. If you’re looking for a position to slow everything down and build up arousal gradually, this is the sex move for you.

Female partner on top with support (for balance and motion)

Your partner is on top but uses the wall, your chest, or planting her feet for extra stability. It closely resembles the regular cowgirl position but offers more support. When the standard riding positions get tiring, this variant will help you both keep going longer while offering greater visual connection and motion without sacrificing control.

Seated positions (for endurance)

Every bloke gets tired sometimes, but that doesn’t have to bring an end to the night’s proceedings. Whether on the sofa, in bed, or in a comfy chair, using a seated position allows the penetrating partner's hips to keep up a rocking, grinding rhythm instead of the hard thrusting they might be used to.

Seated positions are another underrated option because they’re great endurance builders, helping you to stop rushing and build your confidence for the more acrobatic positions later.

Common performance challenges men face

The best intimate positions are those that suit your body and partner, rather than your ego (or what you might have seen online). Most men don’t actually need to act out the Kama Sutra, but to reduce the pressure on themselves, acknowledge any sex-based issues they might be dealing with, and listen to their partners.

The most common sexual performance challenges men face today include [7]:

• 37% reached orgasm too fast
• 15% either couldn’t climax or took too long to
• 17% lacked interest in sex
• 11% said they felt anxious during sex

Interestingly, erectile dysfunction wasn’t as prominent as expected in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, with just 20% of men aged 45 to 55 having it, and only 14% across other age groups [8].

However, erectile dysfunction can be tough to cope with in any sex position. That’s why it’s worth speaking to your GP about the options open to you, whether that’s counselling, lifestyle changes, or options like Pilot’s ED treatment program.

Get more confidence in the bedroom

Confidence in bed isn’t genetic or about doing one special move. It’s about communicating better, reducing pressure, and having more than one option to get the job done, whether you're getting oral sex, using a sex toy, or trying out something new.

But we know that’s easier said than done, and not every bloke can do it on their own. If you need a bit of extra help because you’re having problems, it’s time to take action to boost your performance. Talk to your doctor about clinician-led support, with options like Pilot’s PE treatment, sex counselling, or even wholesale lifestyle changes.

Better sex isn’t about pretending everything’s fine but about figuring out what works for you and backing yourself with the best support when you need it.

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