Most men are psyched to learn that pumping frequently is a vital component of penis health, and they generally like to get most of their exercise with a partner. While standard sex is enough to get the blood flowing to the loins for many couples, some people like to mix things up. One kinky option partners might consider is bondage, a sex practice in which one partner is physically restrained in some way. There are a few things beginners would do well to know before breaking out the chains. Couples should consider the following bondage facts and tips to ease this practice into their sex lives.

Bondage: What is it?

During a bondage session, one partner is restrained in order to limit his or her ability to move or participate actively in sexual play. Usually, the wrists are bound with handcuffs, scarves, rope or some other device; they may be hooked to a bedpost or other nearby sturdy object, or they can simply be bound behind the back or held above the head. Advanced forms of bondage, such as binding of the ankles or securing of the whole body in some manner, are also possible.

Along with physical restraints, bondage often involves a component of sensory deprivation. This is usually done by removing sight from the bound partner’s experience; blindfolds tend to be used for this purpose.

Why do it?

There are many aspects of bondage play that make it tantalizing for both partners. For starters, the bound partner is giving up a lot of power to the other partner, which may be a turn-on for both. The person who is bound can’t actively participate in sex as much as usual, so he or she sits (or lies) back and takes in all the sensations; a substantial amount of suspense builds up, and the self-control required not to use one’s hands to do whatever he or she wants can itself be stimulating.

The unbound partner can gain great pleasure from being in control of the sexual activity. He or she may also revel in the near total responsibility for providing the bound partner with pleasure.

Sensory deprivation is often used because when one of the senses is removed, the others become more sensitive - including the sense of touch. Wearing a blindfold of some sort can cause the bound partner to feel his or her partner’s actions more intensely; it also offers the element of surprise with each touch, since he or she can’t see what’s coming.

Start Slow

Lovers who are just beginning their journey into bondage play may want to start small and slow, considering that both will be feeling out their comfort levels. It’s important to have a lot of trust and respect in the relationship to ensure that boundaries aren’t crossed and that communication is constant.

It’s a good idea to choose softer restraint methods at first, such as padded cuffs, since ropes, chains and metal cuffs can cause pain that might not be desired. Along with padded restraints and a blindfold, couples should invest in a soft teaser device; the unbound partner can use this to tease and stimulate the bound partner, slowly driving him or her wild with desire. As bondage play becomes more familiar, couples can talk about adding in new elements if they so choose.

With all this hot bondage sex going on, men might need a little extra help dealing with raw or dry penis skin. A quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) containing vitamin E and Shea butter may help smooth things out. Also look out for vitamin C on the ingredient list, which might help maintain youthful skin as well as ample blood flow for hard, strong erections.