5 Best Sex Positions for Overweight People

    Updated 23 November 2022 |
    Published 11 November 2019
    Fact Checked
    Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo
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    Not every sex position is possible for every body. Fortunately, there are plenty of sex positions that are very, very possible, regardless of size. Incorporating these easy, super-comfortable positions into your repertoire can provide increased pleasure to you and your partner. These are the best sex positions for overweight people — experiment to find out which ones you like the most and prepare to take your sex life to the next level.

    1. Doggy style

    This classic position is one of the best sex positions for overweight people. After a while, it can get a little tiring, but using pillows can provide support and help you and your partner maintain the position for longer.

    In the doggy style position, the woman gets on her hands and knees. The man kneels or stands behind the woman and penetrates her from behind. He can use her hips to help him with leverage and to accommodate deeper or more vigorous thrusting. If your arms get tired, you can come down onto your forearms and even use them like a pillow for your head. This position also makes it easy to self-stimulate as you’re being penetrated, or your partner can reach around to touch you.

    2. The seated position

    Props and other modifications provide an easy way to add some variety to your sex life and can include, among more exotic things, pillows, cushions, or furniture, as in the seated position. In addition to being fun for most people, the seated position is also one of the best sex positions for overweight couples. All you need is a sturdy chair and a consenting partner. Pro-tip: place the chair on flooring that won’t allow it to slide — for example, carpet is better than tile.

    In the seated position, which is one of the best sex positions for overweight women, the man sits on the chair and is straddled by the woman. If you’re unable to reach your legs all the way around him or feel off-balance, you can also turn around and sit on his lap, allowing him to penetrate you from behind. It may be helpful to position the chair next to a table, countertop, a second chair, or other piece of furniture that you can grab onto for added support.

    3. Butterfly

    Position matters

    Learn more about positions in our Health Assistant dialogs on sex and pleasure

    This position may be one of the best sex positions for overweight people of all sizes and shapes. The position allows for deeper penetration without interference from a larger abdomen. As a bonus, getting your legs on your partner’s shoulders may help you experience different pleasurable sensations in the vagina, including the G-spot.

    For the butterfly position, you’ll need to lie on your back with your legs in the air or resting against your partner’s chest. Slide to the end of the bed with your butt resting on the edge. Your partner penetrates you while standing in between your legs. If your height is uneven or you need a better angle, place a pillow under your hips. One of the more intimate things about this position is that you and your partner are facing each other. This allows for greater intimacy and kissing.

    4. Reverse cowgirl

    In the traditional cowgirl position, the woman straddles the man while he lies down, allowing her to control the pace and depth of penetration. While the traditional cowgirl doesn’t have a reputation as one of the best sex positions for overweight women, the reverse cowgirl is a sex position for overweight couples that accommodates for larger body size.

    The reverse cowgirl has you straddling your partner like the cowgirl, but you’re facing away instead of towards the man. If you like, you can lean forward, supporting yourself on the palms of your hands to change the angle of penetration. As in doggy style, you can easily self-stimulate your clitoris in this position.

    5. Sideways crunched turtle

    This is similar to a spooning position, but it may be more optimal for especially curvy people who have trouble with penetration in that position. Because it is a little more accomodating than doggy style, the sideways crunched turtle is one of the great sex positions for overweight couples. And as a bonus, it’s also more comfortable if you’re tired or want to take it easy, as you don’t need to hold yourself up with your arms or use your legs to control the movement and depth of penetration.

    To do the turtle position, you get on your forearms and knees, with your chest on the bed. You should be kind of rounded into a ball, like a turtle. If you do yoga, this is similar to Child’s Pose. Your rear end will be higher in the air, and your partner can kneel and penetrate you from behind. Your arms can be wherever you find most comfortable, either pillowing your head, resting underneath your chest, or reaching around to hold your legs for stability, spreading them to allow for deeper penetration, if desired. To take the turtle position sideways, follow the above directions, but lying on your side. You may also wish to self-stimulate during sex in crunched turtle pose as there isn’t direct pressure on your clitoris in this position.

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    Other sex tips for overweight people

    Trust and love are important for sex, regardless of body shape or size. Many overweight women, however, report feeling self-conscious of their bodies during sex, which can mean that they’re not able to be fully present and enjoy the moment. To enhance your sex life, engage in plenty of foreplay to set the mood and help you relax.

    Sex is more than penetrative sex — manual stimulation, oral sex, and lots of other things count as sexual activities. In essence, sex is physical intimacy that you and a partner find arousing. It’s better to focus on feeling close and turned on rather than on what positions you can or can’t do.

    Enjoy a healthy sex life

    Learn when your sex drive is the highest and explore our Health Assistant dialogs on sex and pleasure

    The takeaway

    The best sex positions for overweight people are also great for most people. They provide a degree of comfort that anyone can enjoy. Ultimately, the best sex positions for overweight couples is going to vary from couple to couple, and requires open and honest communication, confidence to express what feels good, and a willingness to experiment until you find something you both enjoy.

    History of updates

    Current version (23 November 2022)

    Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo

    Published (11 November 2019)

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