Everyone deserves a mattress that’ll help them wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. The best mattress for athletes should be able to do that, plus a little more: An increasing number of mattresses from brands like Bear Mattress, Brooklyn Bedding, Zoma, and PerformaSleep claim to help with athletic recovery and, in turn, an athlete’s overall performance. But, with the sheer amount of high-quality mattresses available right now, how exactly do these mattresses stand out from the rest in terms of features and design—and should you consider getting one for yourself if you’re an active person? We consulted with sports medicine experts to get the lowdown on athletic recovery mattresses.
What does it mean if a mattress is designed for athletic recovery?
Athletic recovery, or muscle recovery, where we rest to alleviate the fatigue and soreness that can come with working out, plays an important role in an active lifestyle. While taking rest days might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about recovery, a good night’s sleep plays a major role in it, too. “Sleep has been a very popular topic of discussion in the area of recovery for the past decade,” Frank Velasquez Jr., ATC, CSCS, director of sports performance for the Allegheny Health Network, tells SELF. “It’s free, we do it as part of our daily routine and the research is out there [on] how beneficial it is for both physical and neuro/cerebral function.”
Mattresses that are marketed to athletes aim to optimize those benefits with specific design details like high-density foam layers, antibacterial materials like copper, and features that promote temperature regulation, like a cooling gel, Velasquez explains. They tend to have a structured support system and a medium-to-high firmness level.
What are the benefits of sleeping on a mattress designed for athletic recovery?
Harold J. Schock, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedics & Sports Medicine BayCare Clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin, tells SELF that a mattress that’s made to keep your body cool, cushioned, and comfortable through the night is in and of itself extremely beneficial to rest and recovery. But, that’s not where the potential advantages of an athletic recovery mattress end.
Arati Dunbar, MD, an orthopedic and sports medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group, Sequoia, tells SELF that these types of mattresses also tend to be constructed in order to encourage spinal alignment and prevent uncomfortable pressure points, so you don’t wake up with a crick in your neck, for example. Some may even alleviate soreness and keep motion transfer to a minimum. Again, these details should amount to a sounder, more restful night and a healthy sleep routine.
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Despite these purported benefits, Dr. Dunbar is quick to point out that, rather than looking for a mattress with a checklist of features and details in mind, focus on the bigger picture while you’re shopping: “The benefit is not from the mattress itself, it is from the higher quality of sleep and not waking up with kinks. The most important selection in a mattress is making sure it is comfortable for the person using it.”
Who should buy an athletic performance mattress?
So, that begs the question: Does anyone need to use one of these mattresses instead of, perhaps, a popular bed-in-a-box-style mattress? Velasquez says they’re worth a try for those with the financial means (some athletic performance mattresses cost a pretty penny). And, he adds, they could have a truly positive impact on active adults (particularly those who participate in high-intensity activities multiple times a week) and elite athletes. Dr. Dunbar says they could even be useful to people who consistently wake up with kinks and soreness, or are prone to overheating.
That said, you should pay as much mind to your personal definition of comfort when shopping for a mattress. As Dr. Schock puts it, “The performance enhancement of each individual athlete may require different mattress needs.” Read: No single mattress will ensure quality sleep for all active people. Your preferred sleeping position (say, if you’re a back sleeper, stomach sleeper, side sleeper, or combination sleeper), level of cushioning, and sleep surface are all significant factors in finding the right mattress for you.
So, as our experts stated, the best mattress for athletes isn’t necessarily the one that’s marketed explicitly for performance or has an array of bells and whistles. Rather, active people should look for one that helps them get a consistently comfortable and restorative night’s sleep. For you, that might mean simply finding a mattress that’ll alleviate your back pain.
But, if you’re undeniably curious about mattresses designed with athletic performance and recovery in mind, there are plenty to scope out and try for yourself—many of which come with a generous sleep trial period and a 10-year warranty. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the very best athletic recovery mattresses on the market. In our research, we specifically looked at ones that earned high ratings and glowing reviews from well-rested, ache-free customers. Read on to find the new mattress that could lead to better sleep.
Source: SELF
