3 Types of Swinging Relationships: What you need to know!

Chantelle Austin Chantelle Austin on 30 October 2014    8 comments
A woman in an evening dress standing between two men wearing suits with their backs to the camera

This is a common question and an easy one to be confused by because they are quite similar and realistically, a swinging relationship is a type of open relationship, but by the end of this article (if I’ve done my job right), you’ll have a much clearer understanding of what kind of relationship you have right now and what criteria means you have jumped the fence into the other.

First of all, let’s get clear about swinging and what that looks like… Well, you know what I mean, we’ve seen what it looks like to see couples enjoying threesomes, foursomes and moresomes but that’s not what I’m referring to exactly, although all of those are included.

Swinging is generally what you call it when you and your partner are enjoying the lifestyle and each experience together. It’s just a sex and adventure thing for you, usually in full view or at least ear-shot of each other, just the way you like it!

It’s generally accepted that if you’re a swinger then you don’t have any emotional connections with your playmates, and that’s really all they are, playmates. I’d like to add something, which might challenge the generally accepted lines between swinging and an open-relationship…

While most experts will say that there are no emotional connections if it’s just swinging, my experience has been that many people are looking for at least some level of emotional connection over and above just simple attraction (even intense attraction) such as friendship and social interaction outside of the swinging scene, but not a deep emotional connection such as love.

An open relationship (also known as open marriage is if the couple are married) includes all the fun and frivolity that a swinging relationship has but it also has agreements in place for each person to have the freedom to date and/or have sex with other people without their partner present. The agreements can vary depending on how comfortable and secure the individuals are within the relationship plus what desires they have to explore with others.

In an open relationship, each additional friendship or relationship doesn’t necessarily need to be all about sex, they can enjoy going bowling or for walks on the beach, or going to the theatre with people other than their primary partner. They could easily be a platonic relationship to enjoy shared interests that are not shared by their primary partner.

Some couples opt for an open relationship because one partner has a fetish, sexual desire or some other aspect of their relationship that their current partner can’t, or isn’t willing, to fulfil. As an example, I’m keen to explore impact play (dip my toes in the BDSM world so to speak) but I’d like to try the giving aspect, understandably my husband isn’t keen to be on the receiving end! Our relationship is an open one so I’m able to find someone else who is keen to explore this dynamic with me while letting my husband’s backside off the proverbial hook.

Some couples just enjoy having their primary relationship while having the freedom to enjoy being single in their agreed ways, the best of both worlds!

Think about it for a moment, there’s something addictive about the beginning phases of a new connection/relationship; the spark, the attraction and the increasing grr factor as you learn more about each other and what gets you both going. There are just some things you can’t recreate with a partner you’ve had for over a decade but the depth of the bond and connection with a life partner is something you can’t just create with someone new overnight or even within a few weeks or months.

So in summary; you’re in a swinging relationship if you are in the swinging lifestyle purely for the sex and adventure, and if you are doing it all with your partner by your side, or at least in the next room. It’s something you only do together and you aren’t interested in sharing your partner (or being shared) with someone outside your relationship for something over and above a sexual encounter (or a few of them).

You’re in an open relationship or open marriage if you are willing to, and do, allow each other to spend time with others alone, and/or to form sexual and/or emotional relationships with other people outside of your primary relationship. Open relationships where the external relationship forms a deeper bond and loving connection is considered “polyamory” – a form of relationship where one or both partners have multiple loving relationships at the same time. Did you get that? There will be a test at the end… kidding.

Many couples start in the swinging arena and build such a deep bond and a high level of trust through the process of sharing each other sexually, that they feel comfortable in taking it to the next level to an open relationship, but not everyone does and nor does everyone have to. Ultimately just enjoy where you’re at and all the amazing adventures the swinging scene has to offer, and if it evolves or changes into something else, enjoy that too!

Read Next Article

Likes & Comments

Comments (8)

  • riverman69

    riverman69
    55M Sydney, NSW,
     AU

    Well considered article.
    >4w
    Reply
  • Leolady727

    Leolady727
    Account closed

    I've been into swinging, and I've been into open relationship/polyamory and, for me, polyamory is so much more satisfying. My primary partner and I meet couples and swap with them and both of us also have sexual encounters on our own - part of a loving and satisfying relationship.
    >4w
    Reply
  • Wearefree

    Wearefree
    67M 61F Hervey Bay, QLD,
     AU

    My wife and I both love to swap in the same room, but we do not like like when we are in separate rooms; however we both have sexual explorations outside of our relationship, but it never goes any further than just having sex and coming home and telling the other about the interaction. Neither of us are interested in taking those interactions to a more personal level. It is truly all about the sex.
    >4w
    Reply
  • Merope.

    Merope.
    Account closed

    What an awful, drawling, clunky read!
    A swinging relationship may simply involve playing with others within eachother's eyesight or earshot, but the specific form that relationship takes depends entirely on the swinging couple. Or triad. Or whatever.
    There's nothing in the definition of "swinging" - even as presented here - to suggest that they can't be polyamorous, or part of an open relationship as well; and to say that platonic friendships with playmates are something that only happens in open relationships - or to imply that you'd need an open relationship for such - is frankly, ridiculous.
    (Ever heard of swinging groups and thought that maybe these people continue to meet because they *like* eachother?)
    I'm a little embarrassed for the author.
    >4w
    Reply
  • wildOATSsexyMOM

    wildOATSsexyMOM
    65F 61M The Entrance, NSW,
     AU

    Think I agree with Merope
    rather convoluted article and really does anyone in the swing scene care if they're qualified enough to be labelled a swinger or not
    lol
    everyone is entitled to their opinion and I know I previously lived a life of pure high fidelity monogamy and now I class myself as a swinger on my P's lol in an open relationship
    eventually the shackles of morality fall away and one can indulge in the few passions left to us as we age and get closer to the end of our days
    life is an adventure to be lived how you see fit not analysed or labelled to death but we will always have the statisticians who need the definitions etc
    and I guess there are those that need the "guidance" that this article provides
    >4w
    Reply
  • Ambi.Sexual

    Ambi.Sexual
    50F 53M Melbourne, VIC,
     AU

    Merope, there may be some merit in your comment re "platonic friendships with playmates", but I suspect you may be misinterpreting Chantelle's meaning. Otherwise, your assessment of this article seems incredibly churlish to me. While it's probably not an eye-opener to those of us not new to the scene, I'm quite sure many will find the explanation of terms quite useful.
    >4w
    Reply
  • serg685

    serg685
    Account closed

    Swinging may be fun but for how long? if a couple get bored something is not working and trust me swinging is not the answer careful don't play with fire u guys may get burn.
    >4w
    • LittlePartyGirl

      LittlePartyGirl
      52F Hornsby, NSW,
       AU

      It sounds like you've had a bad experience from swinging, and if so, I'm sorry about that. But your experience is not universal. Many people have enjoyed a lifetime of swinging with no problems. And what makes you qualified to judge other people's relationships you have no idea about. Everyone is different and there is no one answer or way that works for everyone.
      >4w
    Reply
Copyright © 2025 Chantelle Austin It is illegal to use any or all of this article without the expressed, written permission from Adult Match Maker and the author. If you wish to use it you must publish the article in its entirety and include the original author, plus links, so that it is clear where the content originated. Failure to do so will result in legal action being taken.
The content posted on this blog is intended for informational purposes only and the opinions or views within each article are not intended to replace professional advice. If you require professional relationship or sexual health advice you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified specialist.