Our expert mattress tester has reviewed hundreds of beds. Here are her picks to help athletes improve their recovery and foster peak performance.
According to an article published in Men’s Journal – In the pursuit of peak performance, many athletes understand the need for a well-designed training program, balanced nutrition, proper hydration, and adequate rest. However, some athletes and fitness enthusiasts only see rest as the time between their workouts, overlooking the impact sleep quality has on their overall performance.
“Getting adequate sleep is important for muscle growth because it helps the process of releasing growth hormones to support muscle repair,” says licensed clinical psychologist Shelby Harris, PsyD. Research suggests poor sleep may be related to sports-related injuries and concussions, and many athletes have poor sleep quality. So, if you want to unlock your full athletic potential, a good night’s sleep is critical, and the right mattress can make all the difference.
Julia Forbes, Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, a Certified Sleep Science Coach, and a former college athlete, has tried hundreds of beds. She evaluated the features, benefits, and performance-enhancing capabilities of each of the mattresses on this list. Then, Sarah Silverman, PsyD., a clinical health psychologist who specialises in behavioural sleep medicine, weighed in on our picks.
Our Picks for the Best Mattress:
- Best Overall Mattress for Athletes: Nolah Evolution
- Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery: Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best Firm Mattress for Athletes: Plank
- Best Mattress for Heavy Athletes: WinkBed
- Best Budget Mattress for Athletes: DreamCloud
- Best Luxury Mattress for Athletes: Saatva Rx
