Athletes need a good amount of sleep, around ten hours a night on average. This is so that the muscles that have been used have time to relax and recover ready for the next day.
One of the biggest contributing factors for a good night’s sleep is a comfortable mattress, and for athletes, some might be more beneficial than others.
We spoke to Joy Richards at Happy Beds to find out what sort of mattresses are the most supportive and are the best for helping the recovery of muscles.
Orthopaedic Mattresses
Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to support your back, and also all of your muscles and joints. They mould to the shape of your body and therefore reduce the stress on your pressure points. Not only that, but this sort of mattress should help with your everyday posture.
Joy says:
“An orthopaedic mattress would be great for an athlete, as they ensure that your muscles and body are getting the support and comfort that they need to recover. The key really is in the name!”
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory-foam mattresses have become extremely popular over the years. They have a combination of memory-foam and also support foam. The heat that comes from your body helps mould the mattress into the shape of your body, allowing you to distribute your body weight evenly.
Joy says:
“Not only are these also good for your pressure points, but these sorts of mattresses also can adjust to your body’s temperature. Whether you’ve just completed a HIIT circuit before going to bed or whether you’re still warm from your post-gym shower, a memory foam mattress supported by a cooling feature, gel for example, would be fantastic.”
Reflex Foam Mattresses
Made from a high-density foam that can provide both firmness and support, the reflex foam mattress is made from tiny holes that can adapt to the shape of your body. Similar to a memory-foam mattress, the reflex foam mattress is extremely flexible and can quickly go back to its original shape once you’re away from it.
Joy says:
“This is one of the more popular choices for athletes, as it can hold any sort of muscle density or body mass, and always go back to the original shape. Plus, you shouldn’t have to replace this very often as the shape should never lose shape”.
