As anal sex becomes less taboo, people of all genders and sexualities are taking more of an interest in
tantalizing the tushy. But first, you ought to know about anal training.
What is anal training?
Anal training is exactly what it sounds like: it's taking the time, care, and necessary steps to help your
body prepare for anal sex.
Anal training is a necessary step for anal sex. In order to ensure that the anus is prepared and comfortable for anal sex, there needs to be anal training that involves ensuring that the anus is accustomed to being penetrated. — Kinkly
Anal training can be done solo or with a partner and can be an incredibly erotic experience. Preparing yourself to stretch your limits can add "oomph" to a playful power dynamic, a dominant/ submission relationship, or even just a Sunday night in the shower. Before you begin, we recommend that you master this guide on anal hygiene.
how do i start anal training?
GET YOUR BRAIN ON BOARD
The thought of anal play can be quite scary to people. When it comes to anal training, there is a lot of misinformation, taboo, and stereotypes that can confuse and cause a lot of fear.
...and what's the first thing your body (and butt) does when you're scared? It tightens up, which is no way to welcome a penetrative object. Being mentally relaxed, well educated, and consensually excited to dive into the deep end is an essential part of anal training and anal sex. Rather than aiming to start with penetrative anal sex (meaning penis/ dildo inside the butt), start off with a sexy anal massage.
Analingus (oral sex on the anus) is also a fun and exciting way to get started with anal training.
Familiarize yourself with your fanny
Before partners get involved, try practicing solo anal masturbation. Massage the outside of your anus and maybe even dip the tip of your finger in your own bum while you're alone in the shower.
Locate the two layers of the anal sphincter muscles (the outer one pushes things out, and the inner one sucks things in) and practice breathing and bearing down on your finger to help the first one relax. Feeling well-versed in your own body will increase your confidence when partnered up.
Lube Up
Your anus doesn't self-lubricate like the vagina and the butt's tissues tend to be less elastic. This makes using lubricant for all kinds of anal play essential. No lube means no fun.
LEARN: b-Vibe Founder Alicia Sinclair Reveals How to Choose the Best Anal Lube
TOY WITH IT
Anal training is best done with several anal toys, graduating in size as you get more comfortable. Going from zero to the penis is a no-no. The anal sphincter is strong, yet delicate. It's best if you start small, with something like fingers, and then work your way towards something larger such as a butt plug.
"If you’re looking to explore butt plugs, this kit has everything you need to get started. Not only does it come with three different plugs so you can move up in size more comfortably, it also has a lube shooter to easily get it up there. The two larger plugs vibrate when you’re ready for a little more stimulation, and the set also includes a water enema bulb for cleaning up a bit inside your butt before using a plug (which isn’t necessary but helps some people feel more comfortable), and an extensive guidebook with tips on anal play safety and best practices." — Sex and Relationship Expert, Dr. Emily Morse
Before you begin, remember to go slow and use lots of lube. Lube is your best friend for anal play because unlike the vagina, the anus is not self-lubricating.
These anal training steps can happen over the course of a few hours, days, weeks, or more. When it comes to anal training, do what works and feels best for your body. A positive experience, in the beginning, enables positive and pleasurable experiences in the long run.
Congratulations! You’ve gone through the process of Anal Training. Now, you might wonder - what should I do next to take it to the next level?
anal training is not something you do once.
Let’s assume you have trained your anus to the capacity that you can comfortably enjoy a medium or large plug, a dildo, or even a penis. However, a few days or weeks pass and you haven’t had any type of anal play. You might notice that you feel some resistance when attempting to play again.
But why is that? This is because the anus is surrounded by muscles. These muscles, as we learned earlier, are known as sphincters. The double-ringed sphincter muscle keeps things inside your body, rather than permits things to enter. This means that this strong muscle will return to tightening up after you have stopped continuous anal sex.
Take note- Anal training is not something you do once and from that point moving forward anything can officially go in your butt. Always listen to your body and gauge it from there.
START SMALL (AGAIN) AND WORK YOUR WAY UP TO LARGER SIZES
You can’t just decide you’re going to start having anal one day and then go for it, anchors away! Nope. Not a great idea. You need to start slowly. The anus is a muscle that needs to be worked up to having larger objects inserted. — Teen Vogue
Start small (again) and work slowly your way up to larger sizes
You’ll most likely find that your process is much quicker the second, third, and all future times.
TPL: Time, Patience and Lube
Time - Make sure you are in the right mind space to engage in anal play and not in a hurry. If penetration is your goal, slip in a Snug Plug, Novice Plug, or even the Trio Plug earlier in the day. Prepping alone, prior to butt, will allow you to enjoy penetration more later.
Patience - It may take some time to get to where you want with your anal play again. Resist the urge to be too goal-oriented and make the experience more about experiencing pleasure.
Lube - Remember that lube is always extremely important in any type of anal play and is a huge part of making the experience pleasurable for both the giver and the receiver. Don't be shy or stingy - more lube is better than less.
DO KEGELS
No, they aren’t just for vaginas! Kegels build up the entire pelvic floor muscles. This can also strengthen the muscles around the anal sphincter. So if you’re planning on a lifetime of backdoor penetration, Kegel exercises can be especially beneficial to your long-term butt health.
Here are 5 simple tips on how to use kegel exercises for anal training:
1. Locate your pelvic floor
Basically, squeeze your butt muscles as if you were holding in your poo. Find em'?
2. Tighten your pelvic floor
Hold for 5 seconds and then release for five seconds. Try three or four times in a row and repeat until you can
hold for 10 seconds.
3. Maintain focus
Remember to breathe, and avoid using other muscles like your abs or buttocks
4. Practice makes perfect
Aim to do three sets of 10 reps a day
5. Challenge yourself
Wanna kick it up a notch? Try placing a weighted Snug Plug into your butt while doing these exercises in your anal training. You’ll receive pleasure and the added benefit of flexing with weight.
The key thing to remember with anal training - or retraining - is to be kind to yourself. Don’t try to force anything into your anus that your body is not comfortable receiving fully. If it hurts, slow down, take a breather, and try something smaller. Use lots of lube and remember the butt play keywords- Slow and Slippery.
“One of the great things about anal play is that folks with any genitalia can enjoy it. The sensations and experiences that feel good to you have nothing to do with your sexual orientation or gender. It’s kind of like how the food that you enjoy is a totally different question than who you want to have dinner with.” — Founder & CEO of b-Vibe, Alicia Sinclair
Before you go, allow us this one humblebrag? Well, we’re not great at blowing our own horns so let renowned adult filmmaker Erika Lust do the honors to introduce our latest quintessential set of anal training (and more!)
“Great news for anal play lovers! b-Vibe and Le Wand created together an exciting 10-piece set for anal, vaginal, and prostatic pleasure! Unwrap the box to find everything you need before, during, and after anal: get started with some kinky foreplay with specialized finger condoms and gloves, and the lube shooter; keep going with Le Wand Petite and Curve to hit both G-spot and P-spot and tickle your hole; go ahead with b-Vibe Snug Plug 2 which is good to anal training as well as for prostate play and Kegel exercising. Once you’re done, clean it all up by using the towel and store everything in the included pouch! And it gets better: in the set you’ll also find a Guide to Anal Massage & Pleasure with tips and tricks for all entry levels. Would you like to try?” - Erika Lust