Non-Monogamy Experts Share Secrets on How to Swing Successfully

The Short Version: For people in committed relationships who want to have a little fun with people besides their partner, swinging might be the answer. Paul and Ann, the founders of Swinger Zone Central, share their advice and insights on how their site helps make this lifestyle accessible to newcomers. 

I’m not going to lie – I had a lot of misconceptions about swingers before coming to work for DatingAdvice.com. I thought it was just one step below cheating and not a sustainable lifestyle. But then I got to know the swinger community.

It’s easy to brand a swinger as promiscuous or immoral if you don’t know anyone who actually is in the lifestyle. It’s easy to dismiss a partner who wants to swing as a cheater seeking permission. But when you actually have a conversation with a real-life swinger, the story is totally different. Let’s talk about the realities of swinging by first talking to a swinging couple.

Swinger Zone Central calls itself one of the largest, most active swinger websites today – and its founders, Paul and Ann, proudly agree. The fully interactive website features instant messaging, easy-to-navigate discussion forums, and active profiles from like-minded couples and singles. 

When Swinger Zone Central was born, the site boasted customizable homepage colors and pop-up windows; today, after extensive remodeling from the couple, the site aims to reflect both the modern swinger and retain its original fan base. 

And as the swinging lifestyle continues to become more accepted, this swinger site is seeing a lot of activity. Swinger Zone Central caters to both experienced participants and newcomers alike. 

If you’re looking for a safe place free of stigma and taboo, where you can be fully free to enjoy different partners, Paul and Ann have plenty of tips for making the most of Swinger Zone Central.

“I would say the number one thing that you have to have is open communication, especially between you and your partner,” said Ann.

According to the 2024 Match Singles in America report, 31% of singles who responded said they have explored consensual non-monogamy or ethical non-monogamy. Participants in these lifestyles may also find that sharing their experience no longer elicits the same shocked response it may have just a few years ago.

Swinger Zone Central has evolved with the times as well. “We cut down on some stuff that was crazy and added more features to be mobile-friendly,” said Paul. With more widespread acceptance, the website doesn’t require “shock value.” 

But widespread acceptance also means more people flocking to swinging sites – and the influx of interested users is not always without consequences.

“Due to the fact that it’s more mainstream now, there’s a different crowd of people. I would say most people today are just looky-loos. They dream of going out and doing that stuff, but they really don’t,” continued Paul. 

Anyone can easily hide behind a screen and eye potential partners, but committing to action requires bravery. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence when sifting through profiles. You want to find someone who will actually walk the walk, too. 

The same goes for established relationships: Without trust, swinging is impossible. While glances at people besides your partner or fantasies about opening a relationship are common and even healthy, it takes courage to broach the subject and dedication to maintain the lifestyle.

“You have to both be on the same page, and you might not know what you want or what you don’t want, but you have to have the courage that if things are going in a way that you’re not comfortable with, you have to have signals that show, like, hey, I’m not into this, it’s not cool. You have to be courageous enough to speak up and steer it in a different direction,” said Ann.

Swinger Zone Central is open to all, and you can create a trial account with no risk. If you’re feeling turned off by the idea of lurking on a site dedicated to swinging, Paul and Ann understand. The unfortunate stigma that surrounds swinging means people can assume they’ll face spam-filled pages and privacy risks.

However, the site is safe and secure. Unlike mainstream dating apps, where you’re thrust into a pool of daters with varying preferences, membership with Swinger Zone Central guarantees that you’ll be surrounded by people who are nonjudgmental and accepting.

“What separates us from the Facebooks of the world is that ours is a little bit more private. You have to actually be a member of the site. You don’t have to share your actual name or any of your actual information,” said Paul. Users seeking anonymity will find it here. 

“I would say the biggest benefit is the sense of community that you get from this site, as well as the sense of privacy where you can give out as much as you want or keep back as much as you want,” he continued.

There’s even a dedicated phone number for tech support, according to Paul. “People can call me up and talk to me directly if they need.”

If you’re nervous about being seen by people you know, the site offers customizable privacy settings as well. “We have private galleries and people can ask to view them before you grant them access. We’ve also got some robust blocking features too, so you can block, for example, all single males,” said Ann. While the site boasts access to millions of photos, it’s up to users to control who sees them.

Why single males, specifically? It’s regional, dependent on personal preference, and changing as swinging gains popularity. “In some pockets, you might find that single males are in demand, while in others, single females are in demand,” explained Ann. 

“But when we first got into this, they were really rare. They call them unicorns for a reason. But women who are okay with swinging alone are not as uncommon as they used to be.” On Swinger Zone Central, you can toggle for these preferences and more.

If you’re ready to log on and start exploring, Paul and Ann have a few tips to share before you get started. As with any other form of dating, swinging is not without risk, and there are a few factors to consider in ensuring your safety as you organize dates or chat online.

“When somebody is asking you to leave the website to discuss something, think twice: that’s a red flag. We don’t really have a lot of control over what happens when you leave the website,” said Ann.

If you exercise caution, meeting in person can be rewarding–and, of course, getting to enjoy each other physically is the ultimate goal. But thoroughly vetting each other through extensive conversation is a must. Don’t let the excitement of the encounter rush you into anything.

From Paul’s perspective, that initial thrill can lead users to their biggest mistake. “When people don’t read profiles closely, they’ll look at the picture and think, yeah, she looks good, but they have no idea that the profile actually says that they’re looking for a bisexual male, for instance, or something else that they’re not into,” he said. 

Once you’ve decided that the time is right to meet – and double-checked that your preferences align – work through this checklist of Ann’s advice. 

“When you go to meet someone, meet in a public place where there are lots of people. Never at your home, not on the first date. There’s a common tip about not going to a second location, and the same advice applies whether you’re dating traditionally or swinging.”

Before diving headfirst into the world of swinging, make sure that you and your partner approach the conversation with mutual respect. Have an honest convo before creating your Swinger Zone Central account. 

Then, you’re ready to enjoy all the benefits of the community. Testimonials from members prove that it’s the best place to be:

“I’ve been a member almost from the beginning and it just keeps getting better. Awesome place to meet like-minded people who are friendly and laid-back. Come join us!” wrote user MISBEHAVEN4U.

Another user shared, “Having tried eight different sites, we can say that Swing Zone Central is by far the best site we have found. Not only is the site easy to use, but the webmaster is constantly making improvements and is always quick to deal with user issues. We found that there are more real, friendly people who actually want to meet others than on any other site we’ve tried.”

Can’t wait to get started? Visit swingerzonecentral.com to begin your trial membership and start meeting swingers!