If you’re an athlete sleep is a vital part of your routine. Sleep helps build muscle and aids recovery from work out sessions as well as lots of other restorative effects. It is also important for athletes to be able to get the support they need from choosing the right type of mattress. With this in mind, we look at the pros and cons of the most common mattress types suitable for athletes
Memory foam
Memory foam has increased in popularity over the past decade and offers an affordable alternative to most mattress types. The material used in memory foam mattresses is viscoelastic polyfoam which changes shape around the contours of the body when it is heated by body temperature. This makes ideal for those who like a softer mattress that doesn’t increase pressure on joints and the spine. The main disadvantage for some people with memory foam is its tendency to heat up. A memory foam mattress can also start to sag with age.
Coil Mattresses
Coil mattresses are the most popular type of mattress and as the name suggests the support in them is provided by steel coils. Coil mattresses are generally reinforced with layers of polyfoam to further bolster support and can be a good low cost alternative to other more expensive mattress types. Unlike memory foam, coil mattresses don’t conform to the body’s contours and support structures can deteriorate more rapidly than other mattress types.
Hybrid mattresses
If memory foam and coil mattresses don’t fit the bill then the compromise option is to go for a hybrid mattress. With a hybrid mattress you gain the benefits of memory foam and coils working together. One thing to consider with a hybrid though is the extra cost and the wide variety of firmness ratings. This means you will need to try out a few before deciding on which one is best. Also the memory foam component will still lead to problems with heat retention which can make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep if your temperature is already elevated from exercising.
For athletes like the rest of us choosing the right mattress is largely about how it feels to you individually. Cost can also be a factor but it is better to choose a mattress that will last and provide the necessary support.
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