From the Butter Churner to the Wanton Wheelbarrow – sexpert reveals the best sex positions to burn calories fast

IT turns out that saying “I do”; might come with a side of “I’ll have seconds”;, especially for men.

Blokes are far more likely to pile on the pounds after walking down the aisle compared to their female counterparts, a new study has revealed.

Men’s obesity rates triple after tying the knot, while women seem to dodge this particular post-nuptial pitfall, research by Dr Alicja Cicha-Mikolajczyk shows.

Married men are 62 per cent more likely to be overweight than their single mates and a staggering 3.2 times likelier to be obese.

Meanwhile, married women are 39 per cent more likely to carry some extra weight than their single friends, but their obesity risk doesn’t increase.

But all is not lost.

Sexpert Alix Fox believes that a sex session can be a great way for both partners to lose the pounds.

She says: “If you fancy getting fitter, then – provided your partner is fully on board too – making your sex sessions more energetic or physically challenging can be a fun, cheeky part of that.

“After all, pounding each other is a lot more enjoyable than pounding the treadmill, and jumping your lover’s bones beats jumping rope every time.

“If you’re both ready to complement your interval training with some intercourse training, there are plenty of positions that can help you tone muscles, improve flexibility and crush calories – all while enjoying intimacy and orgasms to boot and with no expensive trainers required.”

Here, Alix reveals to Fabulous her top sexercises for when you want to feel the burn in the bedroom.

The Butter Churner, AKA The Squat Thruster

It might be named after a high-fat spread, but this position can help you burn fat in bed, obliterating around 106 calories per quarter-hour for him, and 90 for her, according to research from luxury sex toy company LELO.

Alix says: “To perform it, the woman lays face up, then rolls backwards onto her shoulders, raising her legs high into the air until her ankles are either side of her head.

“She can steady herself by propping her hands against her back or pushing down upon the mattress.

“Next, the man squats to penetrate her from above, holding her ankles whilst dipping up and down like the paddle of an old-fashioned butter churner stirring milk.

“This position offers very deep penetration and G-spot stimulation for her...but it must be approached with caution.

“It puts a lot of pressure on the neck, and requires excellent flexibility and stability to pull off safely, so if you’re not too athletic or bendy, you might be better off sticking to plain ol’ ‘Margarine Missionary’ to avoid injury.”

Standing Sex

Busting 172 calories per couple every 15 minutes, stand-up sex can also help keep your sex life interesting by taking the action out of the bedroom.

Alix says: “Ditch laying down on the duvet, and instead liven things up in the living room, get wet in the shower, enjoy a dirty quickie in the laundry room as the washing machine’s spin cycle masks your moans.

“Or be spontaneously spicy as soon as you get home from work by going at it against your front door (inside the house, for the neighbours’ sake!).

“If a height difference between you and your partner makes standing sex a tall order, try climbing up one or two steps of a staircase and gripping the bannisters for balance.

“A study of 2,000 Brits by Ann Summers revealed that 67% of women say doing 30 squats a day makes them feel more sexually skilled as it helps build the strength needed to hold challenging stand-up-style poses for longer.

“Plus, if you need extra incentive to hit the gym, five per cent claim to have climaxed on the rowing machine, while three per cent said they orgasmed while stretching during Bikram yoga.

“Let’s get gym-nasty!”

The Kneeling Wheelbarrow

This position is a lot like doing it doggy style, except the woman lifts her feet off the bed, tilting forward and balancing on her knees.

Alix says: “This alters the angle of penetration, switching up sensations and making the pose a whole lot harder to hold.

“It also burns barrowfuls of calories – 84 for him and 73 for every 15 minutes you manage to keep wheelin’ on.

“Pop a pillow under your knees if the pressure on them is uncomfortable.”

Wanton Wheelbarrow

If you feel like pushing things slightly further, then the Wanton Wheelbarrow cause a bit more of a sweat.

Alix says: “Try The Wanton Wheelbarrow. This time, the receiving partner raises one leg in the air, and extends it behind her, keeping it as straight and tensed as she can.

“Then there’s The Flying Wheelbarrow, in which the male partner picks the female up off the ground by her waist or legs.

“It’s a punishing bicep and core workout for him, and puts her through her paces too, as she’ll need to help hold herself up with her arms. Phew!”

The Squat and The Cowgirl

In the majority of penetrative sex positions, it’s the guy who ends up exerting the most energy.

Alix says: “But in The Cowgirl and The Squat, it’s the lasses who really have to move their asses, respectively powering through 70 and 94 calories per quarter-hour of action, compared to just 24 and 25 for the fellas.

“Both The Cowgirl and The Squat are ‘girl on top’ poses.

“In The Cowgirl, the man lays on his back while his partner kneels astride him. The majority of the movement comes from her, grinding on his groin. Yeehaa!

“To switch into The Squat, he should bend his legs at the knee so she can steel her hands against his thighs for balance, before raising up onto her toes and squatting to ‘bounce’ on top of him.

“Worried you’ll get out of breath before your cowboy’s had a chance to – ahem – shoot his pistol?!

“Sensual fitness coach Tyomi Morgan has developed the ‘Cowgirl Workout’ programme: a series of training exercises specifically designed to help women become fitter and more confident about going on top, along with routines that teach you to smoothly move your hips and ‘add glide to your ride’.

“She suggests holding the back of a chair for support, standing about a foot away with your feet a shoulders’ width apart; and bending your knees slightly.

“Inhale through your nose deep into your belly, while you push your tailbone forward, as though you’re trying to make the base of your spine touch your bellybutton.

“Exhale through your mouth and pull the tailbone backwards, like you’re trying to pull your bottom onto your back. Repeat 10 times to start waking up that pelvis!”

Then the positions for the more ‘lazy' than ‘crazy'

Spooning

Spooning only burns around 50 calories every 15 minutes for him, and 42 for her, according to research from luxury sex toy company LELO.

Alix says: “It involves laying on your sides, both facing the same direction, with the man behind the woman – nestled like two spoons stored in a drawer.

“While spooning won’t help you work off many scoops of ice cream or ladles of gravy, it can deliver sweet pleasure in big, heaped portions.

“She can increase the depth of penetration by pushing her bottom against him, while he can reach around to play with her clitoris, nipples, or other hot spots.”

The Yab Yum, AKA The Lotus

The Yab Yum is a Tantric pose, that involves both partners sitting down.

Alix says: “It’s ideal for those with no energy whatsoever, masculine or feminine!

“To try it out, the male lover should sit on a soft blanket, bed or settee in a relaxed cross-legged stance.

“His female partner should then sit on top of him, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“She controls the movement, but rather than vigorously bouncing or thrusting, The Yab Yum involves gently rocking back and forth – so if you don’t like sex to feel like a HIIT class, this could be a hit with you.”

Enter the dragon

To perform The Dragon, the female lover lies face down, and then her male partner stretches out over the top of her and enters her.

Alix says: “Again, instead of high-speed, high-intensity thrusting, he should move in slow, swirling, circular motions.

“This is a wonderful position for him to kiss her neck and back, play with her hair and whisper into her ear.

“Before you attempt X-rated pillow talk, however, it’s worth chatting to each other about the language you like – or loathe – between the sheets, especially if you’re still working on your body confidence.

“Sometimes men can say things like ‘I love your curves', which are intended as compliments, but inadvertently draw attention to the very bits a woman is sensitive about.

“On the flip side, a lover enthusing about your sexy voice or sense of humour can be a good reminder that attraction isn’t solely attached to how you look in your undies.”

What your sexual fantasies say about you

By Emma Kenny, a TV presenter and psychologist

Raucous Role Play: If your partner enjoys dressing up for fun, it shows creativity and a desire to keep things exciting. However, it might signal that he struggles with responsibility.

Multi-Partner Fantasies: Craving variety doesn't always mean he wants to cheat. However, it could indicate deeper feelings of unfulfillment.

Power & Control: A little dominance is normal, but if it's always about control, it may hide insecurities.

Adventure: Men seeking thrills may push boundaries, so be sure your comfort zone is respected.

Passion: If he’s romantic, he’s emotionally tuned in—though occasionally avoiding tough conversations.

Flexibility: Openness to new experiences is great, but constant novelty-seeking could mean avoiding emotional connection.

Red Flag: If control is his ultimate fantasy, it may signal a deeper struggle with power dynamics.