A spreader bar is an article of bondage equipment consisting of a metal or wooden bar, with attachment points for bondage cuffs

Bondage cuffs

Bondage cuffs are restraints designed for use in sexual bondage situations. Compared to conventional handcuffs, they are wide wrist and ankle restraints generally made of leather, often padded with soft leather or fake fur. Bondage cuffs may be fastened at the wrists and/or ankles by a locking...

 at each end, which can be fastened to wrists, ankles or knees to hold them apart. They are used in bondage

Bondage (BDSM)

Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...

 play, and sometimes in bedroom bondage, usually in association with other bondage equipment.

When applied to the wrists, a bar keeps the arms spread away from the body, providing an unimpeded access to the subject's torso

Torso

Trunk or torso is an anatomical term for the central part of the many animal bodies from which extend the neck and limbs. The trunk includes the thorax and abdomen.-Major organs:...

. When applied to the ankles or between the knees, it immobilizes the subject by preventing all but the most awkward walking, and keeping the legs spread to allow unimpeded access to the subject's groin and trunk. If bars are applied between the knees and between the ankles, the subject may be forced to bend their knees, making walking even harder. A pair of bars may hold the subject in a spreadeagle position.

The bar may be attached solely to the subject, or it may be attached to a piece of furniture, the floor or a device for suspension bondage

Suspension bondage

Suspension bondage is a form of sexual bondage where a bound person is hung from one or more overhead suspension points. Suspension bondage is considered to carry a higher risk than other forms of sexual bondage.- Stimulation :...

. Homemade versions can be made from dowel

Dowel

A dowel is a solid cylindrical rod, usually made of wood, plastic or metal. In its original manufactured form, dowel is called dowel rod.Dowel rod is employed in numerous, diverse applications. It is used to form axles in toys, as detents on gymnastics grips, as knitting needles, as structural...

s, bamboo

Bamboo

Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....

 rods, or closet poles.

Safety

Care must be taken when using a spreader bar on legs not to spread the legs too far apart, so as not to create a muscle pull. Also, if a person is lying on his or her back with a spreader bar attached to the ankles, care must be taken not to put pressure on the thighs and hips, such as during sexual intercourse, as that can cause injury.