The Best Mattresses For Athletes That Promote Restorative Recovery

Forbes

5 hours ago

If you're an ultra active person, you know that rest and recovery are a crucial part of training. Ensuring you're getting the right support from your mattress could mean the difference between worsening muscle pain and waking up feeling energized. We conducted hands-on mattress testing and consulted experts to round up the best mattresses for athletes, including the Bear Elite Hybrid, which is available in three firmness levels and features an optional Celliant-infused cover to aid in the recovery process.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is our top pick for the best mattresses for athletes. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
It pays to invest in what you sleep on, especially as an active person. According to physical therapist Dr. Jimmy Pajuheshfar, sleep is one of the most important recovery tools. 'After intense training, the body needs deep, restorative sleep to repair muscles, regulate hormones and support overall performance,' he says. 'Choosing a mattress that aligns with the specific needs of athletes is essential—not only for comfort, but also for long-term performance and injury prevention.' Read on for our recommendations of the best mattresses for athletes.
Best Mattress For Athletes Overall: Bear Elite Hybrid (Queen)
Best Firm Mattress For Athletes: Plank Firm Mattress (Queen)
Best Mattress For Heavy Athletes: Titan Plus Luxe (Queen)
Best Hybrid Mattress For Athletes: Zoma Hybrid (Queen)
Best Mattress For Athletes With Back Pain: Saatva Classic Mattress (Queen)
Best Cooling Mattress For Athletes: Brooklyn Spartan (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Delivery: Free in a box or $175 for white-glove delivery and mattress removal | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Multiple firmness options
Cooling properties
Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association
Cons: Additional cost for Celliant tech
Customization is crucial when it comes to finding the right mattress for you, especially for athletes with unique requirements for muscle and joint support. This mattress is available in three different firmness levels to suit individual needs. Shoppers can also choose to add a Celliant-infused cover, which uses infrared technology to transform the body's heat into waves of energy, minimizing heat and improving muscle recovery. This material has been shown to improve sleep quality in scientific studies.
Even without the added cover, this hybrid mattress features several layers of support to promote recovery. The copper-infused memory foam is naturally antibacterial and promotes temperature regulation for a cooler and cleaner night's sleep. Underneath, the spring coils are individually encased for pressure point relief and optimal motion isolation. This mattress has also been endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Flippable design with two firmness levels
ACA-endorsed
Optional cooling layer
Cons: Its extra firm texture may not be suited to all sleeping types
If you prefer a firm mattress for stomach sleeping or just extra support, the Plank Firm Mattress is a highly rated choice. This flippable mattress offers two firmness levels in one, with firm and extra-firm options to suit your preference.
There are five dense layers of support, including cooling properties and contouring foam to cradle pressure points and support muscle recovery. If you're a particularly hot sleeper, there's an optional GlacioTex cooling cover that traps and disperses heat for a more comfortable experience.
The brand describes this mattress as a 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so keep in mind it may not be suited to all sleeping styles. Side sleepers, for example, may need a softer texture to keep their spine in alignment.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros: 1000-pound weight capacity
Optional cooling cover
Dense memory foam coupled with individually wrapped coils
Cons: Soft texture may not be suited to all sleepers
This mattress is designed with heavier sleepers in mind, with a weight capacity of 1000 pounds. The 8-inch TitanCore center consists of 900 individually wrapped steel coils that deliver contoured support. And there's a quilted top crafted from gel foam, plus several layers of foam beneath, to deliver plush comfort that's balanced with structured coil support. There's also an option to add the GlacioTex cooling cover to this mattress, with extra temperature regulation for sleepers who tend to run hot.
Titan emphasizes the plushness of this mattress as a benefit, as oftentimes firm mattresses are the only option for heavier sleepers. But keep in mind that, despite its included structured coils, this mattress may still be too soft for stomach sleepers to rest comfortably. For more, read our full Titan Plus Luxe Mattress review.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros: Cooling gel that regulates temperature
Endorsed by several professional athletes
CertiPUR-US certified
Cons:
Hybrid mattresses offer the best-of-both-worlds benefits of contouring memory foam with structured support from inner coils. The Zoma has been endorsed by Washington Nationals player Josiah Gray for its unique dedication to active recovery.
The mattress features a contouring and cooling memory foam that's wrapped in the brand's signature AirCloth, which is breathable and moisture wicking. Below, there are pocketed coils to provide structure, responsiveness and reliable edge support. This mattress is also made with materials that have been CertiPUR-US certified to meet strict standards for being free from harmful chemicals.
Type: Hybrid innerspring | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm | Delivery: Free white-glove delivery and mattress removal | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Dual-coil design is ultra supportive
Euro pillow top offers cushiony pressure relief
Unique lumbar support to relieve back pain
Cons: Firmness levels run slightly firmer than expected
Injuries and chronic pain are unfortunately common for everyone, regardless of activity. But for athletes, it's especially important to address pain appropriately, allowing them to recover before resuming regular training.
The Saatva Classic is one of the best mattresses we've tested, and it's especially great for anyone suffering from back pain. That's because it offers superior lumbar support, thanks to the dual-coil design and unique Lumbar Zone Technology designed to maintain spinal alignment and relieve pressure points to ease back pain.
This mattress also features a 3-inch Euro pillow top that delivers a plush, cushiony feel that delivers instant relief, and it's available in three firmness types in order to suit every sleeping preference. (Though keep in mind that we've found these levels to be more firm than advertised during testing.)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Far Infrared Rays (FIR) tech for muscle recovery
Gel beads for cooler sleep
Three firmness options to choose from
Cons: Reviews commonly mention poor edge support
According to neuroscientist and sleep expert Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, it's very common for athletes to be hot sleepers (and require additional cooling relief). 'Their metabolic processing is likely to result in a higher core body temperature and hot sleeping,' she explains.
That's why opting for a supportive mattress that also features active cooling properties could result in better sleep—and better recovery. The Brooklyn Spartan checks both of these boxes, with foam that's infused with gel cooling beads and built-in coils for better airflow. Plus, this mattress features FIR technology that's designed to produce better blood flow for optimal recovery.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Soft, cradling foam with durable coils
GreenGuard Gold certified
Optional cooling top upgrade
Cons: Likely not suitable for back or stomach sleepers
The best mattresses for side sleepers are on the softer side. This allows for body contouring and pressure-point relief instead of resulting in hip and shoulder joint pain. For athletes who like to sleep on their sides, the Helix Midnight Luxe offers optimal support. It features a plush pillow top and memory foam that's designed to cradle around curves and offer excellent lumbar support for joint pain. It also has built-in steel coils for extra support without sinkage.
For hot sleepers, there's an option to upgrade to the brand's GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which has a similar pillow top plushness with built-in technology to pull heat away from your body as you sleep.
Keep in mind that although this soft mattress provides excellent support for side sleepers, it may be too soft for folks who prefer to sleep on their back or stomach.
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros: Pressure-relieving foam
Cooling technology
Minimal motion transfer
Cons: Only one firmness available
May be too soft for stomach sleepers
Rohrscheib recommends memory foam mattresses for athlete recovery, as she says it avoids putting additional strain on the body during rest. 'This allows the spine, neck and head to maintain alignment without placing too much pressure on joints, preventing joint pain and muscular issues,' she says.
The Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattresses delivers on these fronts, with its layers of pressure-relieving foam that are specifically designed to cushion around curves to reduce pain and ease pressure points. It also features a cooling top cover that's breathable and temperature regulating.
Type: Memory foam or hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 101 nights | Warranty: 25 years
Pros: Separate massage settings for each side of the bed
Ghost Ice cover for cooling
Foam and hybrid options available
Cons: Not available in twin or full sizes
Sometimes you need a little extra TLC after a long training session or day at the gym, and a massage bed is a great way to unwind. The GhostBed Massage Memory Foam Mattress goes beyond vibration; it features built-in air cells that move around to massage your muscles as you lay down. There are also separate controls (and remotes included) for each side of the bed, so you and your partner can both enjoy unique massages at your own time.
The mattress itself is made from memory foam, and there's a hybrid option for anyone looking for more structured support. Both varieties feature a Ghost Ice cover that cools you as you sleep so hot sleepers can indulge in pressure-relieving foam without overheating.
The sleep and mattress team at Forbes Vetted have collectively tested hundreds of mattresses, with the goal of helping every type of sleeper rest well—from stomach sleepers to hot sleepers. Monica Petrucci, the author of this article and a commerce writer at Forbes Vetted, has tested and researched a variety of mattresses—like the best Tempur-Pedic alternatives—in order to help readers make the best purchasing decisions.
Bridget Chapman is the senior sleep and mattress editor at Forbes Vetted, and she has tested hundreds of mattresses firsthand. She oversees this section and has approved every product on this list.
We interviewed neuroscientist and sleep expert Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, Ph.D for this article. She provided expertise on the best types of mattresses for athletes and which features to prioritize.
We also received insight from physical therapist Dr. Jimmy Pajuheshfar, who explained the importance of sleep for athletes and how they can best support their muscle recovery with the right mattress.
We are committed to delivering the most accurate and up-to-date information for our readers. This article was published in June 2025.
We relied on our sleep team's own hands-on experience, as well as recommendations from experts when deciding on the best mattresses for athletes. We took notes and recommendations from our team of expert mattress testers, who have collectively tested hundreds of mattresses, to determine the best picks for athletes.
We consulted Pajuheshfar and Rohrscheib in order to gain expertise about the importance of sleep when it comes to muscle recovery, as well as specific bed types and recommendations that are best suited to athlete lifestyles.
We assessed a variety of different mattress types, with varying firmness levels and price points, in order to best suit the diverse needs of our readers.
There are few key features to consider while shopping for the best mattresses for athletes. It's important to determine your own personal needs and preferences before making an investment. Construction
The best mattress types for athletes are often hybrid mattresses or memory foam. Foam offers cradling support that relieves pressure from joints that require extra TLC after training.
While memory foam mattresses can be great for certain sleepers, like those who like to rest on their side, they may be too soft for folks who prefer to rest on their backs or stomachs. That's when hybrid mattresses come into play, as they combine cushioning foam with structured coils for more support and breathability. Body Type
As Pajuheshfar explains, different body types and sport-specific athletes require different types of support from mattresses.
'Typically leaner with lower body fat and more bony prominences, [endurance] athletes benefit from plush or medium-plush mattresses that provide gentle contouring and enhanced pressure relief,' he says.
On the other hand, strength and power athletes require more structured support. 'Often heavier and more muscular, they need firm, supportive mattresses that resist sagging and offer strong spinal support while still cushioning the shoulders and hips,' he says. Firmness
It's important to acknowledge your own personal habits and preferences when it comes to deciding on a firmness level. Many mattresses are available in a few different firmness options, which means you need to decide whether you prefer a soft, cushioning texture or firm, supportive feeling.
A key factor in this decision is realizing your sleep habits. Side sleepers are the best matches for soft mattresses, as the flexible texture allows the hips and shoulders to be cushioned rather than pressure-building, and the contouring helps keep the spine in alignment.
Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, should opt for a firmer mattress that supports their hips and torso without taking the spine out of alignment. Back sleepers typically opt for something in the middle. Cooling
If you're a hot sleeper—as Rohrscheib says many athletes naturally are—you might consider opting for a mattress with a cooling element or upgraded cooling layer. This helps minimize heat getting trapped as you sleep, promotes temperature regulation and helps you sleep better without disturbance.
What Mattress Do Most Athletes Use?
Given athletes have varying body types and sleeping habits, there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best mattress. However, we highly recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid, as it has customizable options to suit all preferences, as well as a Celliant-infused cover for muscle recovery.
Are Firmer Or Softer Mattresses Better For Bodybuilders?
Since bodybuilders often have heavy body types, it's important for them to get a mattress with adequate support. Pajuheshfar recommends firm mattresses with a durable structure that resists sagging, especially over time.
Is Memory Foam Good For Athletes?
Rohrscheib recommends memory foam due to its pressure-relieving properties that help with muscle recovery and don't put additional strain on joints. However, some might prefer hybrid mattresses that still feature memory foam but offer a balance with structured coils.