Sex Swings

What is a sex swing?

A sex swing is a strap harness with a padded seat, stirrups for the legs and handles for the hands. It takes the weight of one person. With the weight and gravity out of the way, it allows positions that don't work in bed or tire you out quickly: new angles, deeper penetration and positions you can hold without effort. It sits within BDSM because whoever is in the seat is open-legged and in their partner's hands, but it is used just as well with no dominance play at all.

Types of sex swings

What sets them apart most is where they hang from, or whether they hang at all.

• Door: they hang from the door frame with no drilling or screws and take about 5 minutes to set up. You can take them down and keep them in a drawer, and they hold up to 120 kg. They are the easiest way to try one with no commitment.
• Ceiling: they hang from a bolt anchored to a beam or a strong ceiling and come with a full harness. They give more freedom of movement, with a 360° spin, and hold up to 150 kg. They suit anyone who will use it often.
• Stand: they come with their own frame to hang the swing from, so nothing needs to be anchored to your home. The trade-off is that they take up more space.
• Seats and cushions: an inflatable seat (some have a vibrator), a stool with an opening or a padded band with lumbar support. They don't hang: they raise or support the hips to change the angle.

Setup and safety

Before the first use, check that the frame or ceiling can take the weight the product page states, and don't exceed it. Before every use, check that the stitching, buckles and carabiners are in good condition. With a door swing, close the door properly and make sure nobody can open it from the other side. For the first try, sit down carefully with your feet close to the floor.

If you combine it with restraint play, agree a safe word beforehand, keep a quick way to release the restraints within reach and don't leave the restrained person alone.

The straps are usually nylon or polyester, and some seats are leather or padded vinyl. Unless the product page says otherwise, clean them with a damp cloth and mild soap and let them air dry before storing them. If the model has a vibrator, clean it separately following its instructions.

How to choose

• Setup: door, ceiling, own stand or seat. Look at what you have at home first.
• Maximum load: the product page states how much weight it takes. Pick one that leaves a margin over the weight of whoever will sit in it.
• Fit: straps with adjustable length to set the seat height and how far apart the legs are.
• Material: nylon or polyester on the straps, padding on the seat and metal or wood on the frames. Leather needs more care.
• Extras: 360° spin, built-in vibrator or lumbar support. Decide whether you want them before paying for them.
• Size: for stand models and stools, check the dimensions once assembled and whether they fold for storage.

Sex swings: frequently asked questions

Does a door swing damage the frame?

Not if you set it up properly. The straps go over the top of the door and are held in place when you close it, so the weight is spread across the top of the frame, with no screws or modifications.

Does it work with any door?

No, not with every door: it works with standard wooden and metal frames. Check that yours can take the weight the product page states and that the door closes properly with the straps in place.

Is a sex swing complicated to use?

No. One person sits in the harness with their feet in the stirrups and the other controls the movement by pulling the swing towards them. The first few times go on adjusting the height and finding a comfortable position, and after 2-3 uses it comes naturally.

Do you need to drill into the ceiling?

Only for ceiling swings, which hang from a bolt anchored to a beam or a strong ceiling. If you can't or don't want to make holes, choose a door swing or one with a stand.

Can you combine it with handcuffs or a blindfold?

Yes. Handcuffs or wrist cuffs or a blindfold go well with the swing. Keep a quick way to release them within reach and agree a safe word beforehand.

Can you use it on your own?

Yes, especially an inflatable seat with a vibrator. A hanging swing can also be used solo, but most positions were designed for two, with one person holding and moving the other.