Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to everyone, but it’s especially crucial for athletes. This is because sleep helps to repair your body, so without it, they can end up struggling to recover from intense workouts and their muscles can’t heal properly. Without the correct recovery, their performance can suffer, causing them difficulty when trying to train. However, athletes can help improve their sleep simply by having the correct mattress. So, keep reading and discover which is the best mattress for athletes!
Things To Consider First
As an athlete, you need to take some extra points into consideration when choosing a mattress. For instance, you need to make sure it’s not only comfortable, but that it’s supportive, and matches your height and weight.
You might also want to check it against your core temperature too to ensure optimum recovery. You want your mattress to take any pressure off your body so that you can sleep uninterrupted, allowing you to wake up ready for your next training session.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is one of the most popular types of mattresses, and there’s a good reason for it. The comfortable foam moulds with the curves of your body when you lay on it, alleviating any pressure you may otherwise feel.
Memory foam can also help to retain a little more heat, so if you’re feeling particularly sore, then the build-up of warmth can help to relax your muscles. Choosing a memory foam mattress can also be a great way to target those hard to reach pressure points.
A regular mattress might not be able to take pressure off your knees, but if you sleep on your side on a memory foam mattress, you can be sure that it will. Although you sink into memory foam, it still provides you with support. So, if the idea of a firm mattress doesn’t appeal to you when your body is at its achiest, then memory foam could be the solution for you.
Firmer Mattresses
If you’re a hot sleeper, or you don’t particularly like the feeling memory foam gives, you can also go for a different type of mattress like a latex one, but you need to ensure it’s firm enough.
You might be inclined to go for something that’s quite soft because you think it will help with your aches and pains, but in reality, you need something a lot firmer. Experts recommend that athletes have a medium to firm mattress and it should be at least 11 inches thick. This is so your body can be properly supported and doesn’t have any pressure being forced upon it while trying to recover.
Cooling Technology
Some athletes prefer to use cold therapy to help with their aches and pains, so you may want to look at mattresses with the latest cooling technology. Mattresses equipped with this can actually speed up your recovery and allow you to fall asleep quicker.
If your back is feeling especially tight and you’d normally rely on an ice pack, then sleeping flat on a mattress with a cooling gel topper can give a similar effect. This way you don’t have to worry about bringing extra things into bed just to try and sleep.
Size And Weight
Athletes come in many different shapes and sizes, so not every mattress will work for everyone. The standard rule is that the more you weigh, the firmer your mattress needs to be. So, if you’re a 6ft tall powerlifter, you’ll probably need a firmer mattress than a 5ft gymnast.
When trying out mattresses it’s important to check the different levels of firmness before choosing. This way you’ll be able to find that sweet spot of firmness that works perfectly for you. You could also consider the Suilong mattress with memory foam.
Being an athlete is tough, but it can be made tougher when you’re not getting the right sleep. However, purchasing the best mattress for you can make the world of a difference. Don’t expect the old rickety mattress that sinks your body down almost to the ground to be any good for you. Instead, try finding one that’s firm enough to support your body and provides you with maximum comfort to aid with your recovery.
You’ll soon notice the difference in your performance too!
Image source: active.com
