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2 min readYOU MAY HAVE your daily protein intake down to a science and your one rep max tattooed on your brain. But are you paying as much attention to your sleep habits as the rest of your fitness plan?
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but if you’ve got athletic performance goals, it can be an essential tool for optimizing performance. “Sleep is when the body shifts into repair and recovery mode,” says Nneoma Oparaji, M.D., an internal and lifestyle medicine physician based in Houston. It’s during this window that processes such as tissue repair, growth hormone release, nervous system recovery, and glycogen restoration occur, she explains. “I often remind athletes that training breaks the body down; sleep is when the body rebuilds stronger.”
Research has shown that short-changing yourself on sleep can negatively affect muscle protein synthesis, which is one of the key processes involved in rebuilding and strengthening muscle tissue after exercise, notes Lori Diamos, MSPT, a physical therapist based in Chicago. Studies have found that injury rates almost double in athletes who regularly sleep less than eight hours a night, and strength and speed are both negatively impacted by poor rest.
Your mattress can be crucial to getting those quality Z’s and supporting recovery, says Diamos. That’s where Saatva mattresses come in. The brand’s premium sleep products are an athlete’s dream—after all, the U.S.-made brand is the official restorative sleep provider of Team USA.
From June 29 to July 5, Saatva is exclusively offering Men’s Health readers 20 percent off when your cart includes a mattress priced at $1,000 or more. Keep reading to save on three of our top Saatva picks for amateur and pro athletes alike.
Saatva Classic Mattress
With a three-inch Euro pillow top and durable dual-coil base, the Classic is designed for cushioned comfort and pressure relief. It’s also equipped with lumbar technology to alleviate joint and back pain by supporting healthy spinal alignment.
The Classic comes in three levels of firmness: Soft, which is best for side sleepers; luxury firm, which cushions and uplifts and may suit couples who have different sleeping styles; and firm, which provides a “floating on top” feel and is ideal for stomach sleepers and those over 250 pounds.
Saatva Rx Mattress
This mattress was engineered for maximum support to help alleviate chronic back and joint conditions, including sciatica, arthritis, a herniated disc, and scoliosis. It has a Therapeutic Support Core that adjusts to your shape and movements, helping to improve circulation by reducing pressure points. It’s also got lumbar technology plus a gel-infused memory foam lumbar crown for added lower back support.
Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress
If you tend to run hot at night, you’ll love the cooling comfort of the Latex Hybrid. The mattress features a vented five-zone natural latex foam layer for better airflow throughout the bed, plus a cover made from a blend of breathable organic cotton and temperature-regulating organic wool.
The Latex Hybrid design also offers pressure relief, enhanced lumbar support, and a responsive feel.
