If you enjoy exercising regularly or participate in sports, it’s critical to let your muscles rest properly so they can maintain their strength and agility.
Struggling with sore muscles can have a significant impact on your wellbeing, so we’ve researched some excellent mattresses that could help.
Regularly working out, lifting weights, swimming, or even just jogging will make your muscles sore. This is perfectly reasonable, but you do have to take extra good care of those muscles now.
One obvious thing you need to do is to let your muscles recover properly after every workout. What better way to do this than while asleep anyway? Owning a mattress that's suitable for athletes will let you rest both physically and physiologically.
There are hundreds of brands out there trying to get your attention. We hope this guide will make the process of buying one much easier.
Throughout this article, we'll present a few buying guideline you should take into account when shopping for the best mattress for muscle recovery. Consider our advice as a starting point for you. We encourage you to continue your own research.
Shopping Recommendation:
Are you confident that a mattress for athletes is the perfect option for you? If so, continue exploring this page!
If you're unsure or want to learn about more great mattress options available then we recommend you check out our best mattress products reviewed. It is a great starting place for most mattress shoppers because it includes a diverse list of mattress picks based on various preferences, styles, and needs. It also includes links to an additional 60+ best mattress pages from Sleep Advisor (example: best mattress for teenagers).
10 Best Mattresses for Athletes
- Bear Elite Hybrid– Editor’s Pick
- Brooklyn Spartan – Best Mattress for Couples
- The WinkBed – Best Bed in a Box
- Nectar – Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes
- Saatva Original – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Customizable Mattress
- Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers
- Tempur-Pedic Pro-Adapt – Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions
- Purple – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
Top 10 Mattresses We Recommend for Athletes
These recommendations are based on the fact that people who work out regularly need uninterrupted, deep sleep. We've also included beds that offer exceptional pressure relief, as well as a good support base.
Editor’s Pick
Bear Elite Hybrid
HIGHLIGHTS:
- CertiPUR-US® Certified
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- 120-Night Trial
- Lifetime Warranty
- Made in the USA
The Bear brand targets their products specifically at individuals who lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Their goal is to provide a restorative night’s sleep that can improve athletic performance during the day. To do this, they’ve blended together quality foams with cutting-edge technology to both keep the mattress cool and, they claim, actively help muscles recover.
The Elite Hybrid is a step up above other Bear models because it includes a layer of zoned support foam. This unit features five zones specifically geared toward alleviating muscle tension and providing support to the lower back.
What stands out?
- The Bear Elite Hybrid is packed with high-performance materials, but perhaps the most unique is the cover’s use of Celliant®, an innovative textile. According to Bear, Celliant® can improve oxygen flow and inflammation from an active lifestyle.
- The bed is also outfitted with cooling technology such as Phase Change Material and copper-infused memory foam.
Best Mattress for Couples
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Customization Options
- CertiPUR-US® Certified
- Made in the USA
- 120-Night Trial
- 10-Year Warranty
With a name like Spartan, it’s safe to say that this elite hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding should be an excellent match for athletes and active people. The Spartan features plenty of customization options so that couples can choose the design that suits them best.
This bed is available as either a Luxe or Essential model. There are some slight design differences between these two beds. While both should deliver a quality sleep experience, those who want something with extra cooling features may prefer the Luxe model.
What stands out about it?
- The Spartan Essential comes in a medium comfort feel, but the Luxe version is available in three firmness options. Shoppers can choose from either a soft, medium, or firm model. Most couples will do best with the medium options since they’re more versatile.
- The Spartan’s Smart Fabric Performance Cover is designed to use transfer your body heat into energy to improve recovery.
Interested in more details? See our complete guide for Brooklyn Spartan mattress.
Best Bed in a Box
The WinkBed
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Gel Infusions
- Tencel Fabric Cover
- Three Firmness Options
- OEKO-TEX® Certification
- CertiPUR-US® Certification
Athletes looking for easy mattress delivery may want to consider this WinkBed as one of the best bed-in-a-box options. The bed is shipped compressed in a box, so all you have to do is let it roll out.
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress available in three firmness options. The construction of the Luxury Firm model starts with 2 inches of plush gel-infused foam, followed by 2.5 inches of Support Cell foam. The two foams help athletes with cooling and recovery by providing pressure relief and comfort. The innerspring unit features 8-inch individually-pocketed coils with five-zone support areas. The last layer is an inch of polyfoam for structure and durability. The softer models have an additional 2-inch foam layer for enhanced pressure relief.
What stands out:
Most sleepers will appreciate the gentle contouring that EuroTop provides. The firm WinkBed has a firmer EuroTop to prevent sinking into the mattress if you need more support.
Interested in more details? See our complete guide for WinkBed mattress.
Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes
Nectar
Memory foam mattresses can often be pricey, making this Nectar stand out even more. This is an all-foam bed rated 6.5/10 on our firmness scale, so it should appeal to most sleepers with different sleeping preferences. And, Nectar offers this bed at a competitive price, a forever warranty, and a 365-night trial.
The construction starts with 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam quilted to the cover. This helps athletes with recovery and temperature regulation to prevent overheating and hot flashes. Next is a 4-inch layer of soft conventional foam to support the body and help with easy repositioning. The base of the Nectar is a 6-inch standard conventional foam that acts as a foundation.
What stands out?
This Nectar is a comfortable bed that suits all sleeping positions thanks to its mid-range firmness. The perimeter is firm, and there’s minimal sinkage, allowing you to spread across the entire mattress.
Need more info? Check out our in-depth review for Nectar bed.
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
Saatva Original
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Two Coil Units
- 365-Night Trial
- Lifetime Warranty
- GOTS-Certified
- CertiPUR-US® Certification
Athletes who like sleeping on their back need maximum support and pressure relief. This Saatva comes in three firmness options, allowing customers to choose based on their sleeping preference. Back sleepers should like the Luxury Firm and Firm models, while side sleepers may prefer a softer Saatva.
The Saatva Original has two innerspring units with connected and individually-wrapped coils. This provides sleepers with much-needed support, responsiveness, and bounce. Athletes sleeping on their backs should like the support from the lower coil unit. The coil-on-coil design allows maximum air circulation, which is another thing athletes can benefit from.
What stands out?
The Saatva Original is available in two heights: 11.5 and 14.5 inches. The difference between the two models is in the thickness of the bottom coil unit. The number of layers stays the same.
Back sleepers will like the lumbar support and contouring from the memory foam layers.
Need more info? Check out our in-depth review for Saatva bed.
Best Customizable Bed
Helix Midnight Luxe
The Helix Midnight Luxe is an updated version of the Helix Midnight, featuring an extra layer of gel Visco foam and zoned support in the coils. As a result, the mattress is more suitable for athletes looking for optimal comfort and pressure relief.
The Midnight Luxe has a pillowtop and three foam layers on its coil unit. The coils are 8 inches tall and individually wrapped to move separately. This allows maximum airflow so that the foams don’t overheat while also giving the bed enough bounce for easy repositioning. The Helix Midnight Luxe is rated 6-7/10, so it’s on a firmer side, which should appeal to back and stomach sleepers the most. Side sleepers may prefer a softer bed.
What stands out:
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a gel Visco support layer, which the original Helix Midnight doesn’t have. This layer cushions and supports the body, preventing you from sinking into the mattress.
Need more info? Check out our in-depth review for Helix Midnight Luxe bed.
Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers
Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution is available in three firmness levels. This customization feature helps ensure your mattress is as comfortable as possible for recovery from physical activity.
The Evolution’s construction includes an organic cotton cover, cooling Euro topper, AirBreath™ Heat Escape Gusset, AirFoamICE™ foam, high-resilience foam, high-density transition foam, HDMax™️ Eco Support coils, and the Eco-Friendly Foundation Layer. If you’re someone who frequently overheats at night, the cotton cover, cooling Euro topper, and AirFoamICE™ foam are specifically made for temperature regulation, while the coils further below should deliver additional airflow throughout the bed’s center.
What stands out?
- The Evolution contains highly supportive HDMax™️ Eco Support coils. These coils should provide substantial support to prevent pain from emerging due to poor spinal alignment.
- With multiple firmness levels, you can decide on a feel that closely meets your unique needs and preferences.
Need more info? Check out our in-depth review for Nolah Evolution bed.
Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions
Tempur-Pedic Pro-Adapt
Athletes who like sleeping in all positions should like this Tempur-Pedic mattress for its adaptiveness, responsiveness, and support. This mattress is available in multiple firmness options, and you can also choose between all-foam and hybrid models. Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night trial and a 10-year warranty with its Pro-Adapt mattress.
Customers can choose between Soft, Medium, Medium Hybrid, and Firm. All models are 12 inches tall, featuring multiple proprietary materials. Medium and Medium Hybrid models are best for all sleeping positions. The construction of the Medium Hybrid starts with a SmartClimate® Dual Cover System, followed by the Tempur-ES® comfort layer and the Tempur-APR™ support layer. Last is the coil unit with 1,000+ spring coils.
What stands out:
The SmartClimate® Dual Cover System helps hot sleepers cool even during the hottest nights. The inner layer has a stretchy knit that adds comfort and gives the bed its plush feel.
Interested to learn more? Check out our best Tempur-Pedic mattress reviews.
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Purple
In a world of classic foam and traditional innersprings, Purple is seeking to break new ground in the mattress industry by inventing a new approach to pressure relief and supportive comfort.
It’s what happens when rocket scientists decide to invent a mattress, and the company has taken the internet by storm with its quirky ad campaign using raw eggs to test their bed.
What makes it special? Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ surface layer has a gel-like consistency in a grid that stays supportive under concentrations of weight and bends to accommodate your curves, helping to provide comfort regardless of what position you choose. This combination was designed to give every sleeper a personalized blend of pressure relief and support that is backed up by a dense foam support system.
Unlike traditional foams that may have a tendency to retain heat, Purple is completely temperature neutral, which may be beneficial for athletes, who, research suggests, can sometimes sleep hot. Also, the material is quick to respond to changes in pressure so active sleepers should have no trouble repositioning.
Need more info? Check out our in-depth review for Purple bed.
Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
Puffy Lux Hybrid
The Puffy Lux Hybrid is a good choice for athletes who struggle with shoulder pain. Shoulder pain can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, so sleepers should focus on getting as much pressure relief as possible.
The Puffy Lux Hybrid has a plush cover and three comfort layers for maximum pressure relief in the shoulders, hips, and lower back. The foams compress or pushback depending on your weight and shape, providing customized comfort important for recovery. The bed is rated 4.5/10 on our firmness scale, so it should be good for all side sleepers. However, back and stomach sleepers may want a firmer mattress for more support.
Why we like it:
The Lux Hybrid is an upgraded version of the Original Puffy mattress. This bed has an additional layer of Body Adapting Dual Cloud Foam designed to provide spinal alignment and support for side sleepers.
Looking for more info? See our complete guide for Puffy Lux Hybrid bed.
So, How to Find a Good Bed If You Are an Athlete?
Here are a few things you should take into account when trying to find the outstanding mattress for athletes. You can use these steps as a buying guideline regardless of what type of mattress you're looking to buy.
Learn More: How an Athlete Sleeps May Affect Their Game
Muscle Recovery And Sleep
As an athlete, your number one concern should be muscle recovery. And how do you get your muscles to recover? Uninterrupted, deep sleep.
This means that you should look for a bed that's going to make you feel the most comfortable to sleep on. Find a bed that lets you relax deeply and one that's not going to make you wake up and toss and turn during sleep.
That will probably be the perfect bed for you. For your muscles to recover as fast as possible, your body requires deep, uninterrupted sleep..
That tends to be the best way for your muscles to recover from workouts because this is exactly when and where the body releases the growth hormone. You know what else is naturally released when you sleep? Protein synthesis.
Deep sleep is going to not only help your muscles recover, but build them as well. You need to be sure to pick out a construction you know you're going to enjoy, e.g. memory foam.
Additionally, see that the mattress you're picking out has real pressure relief – especially if you're a side-sleeper. This will help your hips and shoulders sink into the mattress and stay relaxed throughout the night.
Read More: Top Rated Beds for Side Sleepers
Firmer Isn't Always Better
If you've done any research at all – you've probably heard a lot of people saying that firmer mattresses offer more support and are therefore your best option in any situation.
This is not necessarily true. If you like sleeping on your side, you're probably not going to want an extra firm bed. Your shoulders and hips need to have proper pressure relief beneath them, and this is just not possible with extra firm mattresses in many cases.
Firmer mattresses are generally a better option for stomach and back sleepers. That said, you should also consider your weight. Your weight is known to play a huge role here.
If you're even slightly overweight, it means your body will likely sink more, and this warrants a firmer mattress. If you're particularly lightweight, you should consider trying a bed that's labeled “soft.”
Furthermore, if you suffer from a spinal injury or condition such as scoliosis, you need to pay even more attention to the level of support you need.
Need more info? Check out our complete mattress firmness guide here.
Do You Really Need Celliant Technology?
Celliant fiber technology is a controversial subject mainly because there may not be enough studies to confirm its effectiveness. The idea behind it is that the material uses the energy your body emits during sleep and transforms it back into a source of energy for your body and muscles. You should benefit from improved circulation, increased oxygenation to your muscle cells, and better temperature regulation while you sleep.
Can Celliant improve sleep?
It's hard to say until you try it. Everyone is different, and while most people confirm that they feel much better, some say it doesn't make a huge difference. Luckily, a lot of brands have trial periods that can encourage you to try it out without risk.
Conclusion
Once you decide it's time to get a new bed, remember to pick out the right size you need. Take precise measurements of your bedroom, and then see where it would fit. Also, take into account any furniture you plan on adding after the mattress is in place.
Furthermore, get something with good pressure relief if you're an athlete, and make sure the brand offers a trial period of any kind. This will enable you to buy the bed virtually risk-free.
Sources and References:
- Why Sleep and Recovery Is So Important – nfpt.com
