Meet the One Bar Prison or Spreader Bar

“Taking BDSM toys on a trip: what’s allowed and what isn’t?” was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

Do you enjoy restricting the mobility of your sub or slave? You could, of course, use a cage for that, but then you can’t expect much in the way of service. So how about using a spreader bar (bondage bar) or “one-bar prison”? This drastically limits the mobility of subs, but they can still make themselves somewhat (sort of) useful. Well, that depends on the model, of course, but with a spreader bar, it should work. An added bonus: it’s a hilarious sight!

What is a spreader bar?

A One Bar Prison or spreader bar is a type of restraint, typically consisting of a single bar (hence the name), though there are also spreader bars with different constructions. However, they are all designed to immobilize the sub with minimal equipment. This can be achieved with a spreader bar, for example, but it can also be a pole anchored to the ground with a dildo attached to it. When the pole reaches a certain height, it is impossible for the submissive to get off the pole without help. So you keep your sub nicely in place.

The length of a spreader bar can vary depending on the intended use and preferences. Shorter bars keep the ankles or wrists close together, while longer bars force a wider spread, which can lead to a more vulnerable and exposed position. Spreader bars are used to hold a person in a fixed position, which can be useful for various types of play, such as sensation play, power exchange, or impact play. They can also be used as part of a more complex bondage setup.

Forcing the limbs with a spreader bar

You can use a spreader bar to force limbs into a spread position. It’s usually used to keep the legs apart, but arms work just fine too. Or both arms and legs. You can also place your sub on the bondage bench, with the spreader bar between their legs, and hoist them up using a pulley. If you choose to do this, make sure the bar is sturdy enough and that the attachment hooks are of good quality. Incidentally, the spreader bar is (generally) not suitable for fully suspending the sub.

Expand it!

You can’t do much with just a spreader bar. So you’ll need other accessories, such as ropes and restraints. But you can make it even more exciting by, for example, nipple clamps (or genital clamps) and pulling them tight against the bar with a rope. This makes it increasingly uncomfortable (or painful) for the sub. Spreader bars are often adjustable in width, so in this case, the dominant decides how far apart the legs should be.

Which spreader bar should you choose?

First, decide for yourself how you want to use the spreader bar. Depending on the type of play, you can look for the right bar. Do you want to use it in combination with handcuffs? Ropes or chains? Should both wrists and feet be able to be secured to it? How wide should the bar be able to be adjusted? What attachment rings are used? What is your budget?

Don’t forget to clean the spreader bar after use with a disinfectant or toy cleaner, so it’s clean and ready for the next exciting moment. While cleaning, check the bar immediately for any defects (such as loose rings). For extendable spreaders, it’s recommended to apply a few drops of oil to the inside every so often. This keeps the spreader working smoothly. It saves a lot of frustration during play.

More information

Dungeon & products – Theme page
Bondage – Theme page

Source

Text & image: Mistress Moriah