Mattresses to consider for the heavy sleeper

If you live on the bigger, taller, broader, heavier side of life, you can still sleep as light as a feather. It’s all about affording yourself the very best in mattress design and technology that specifically supports the heavier set frame.

What to look for in a heavyweight mattress.

While your body weight range is an important factor when looking for the right comfort and support in a mattress, there are additional things to consider. 

1. Body contour

Different levels of comfort and support – whether Firm, Medium or Plush – will be more suitable to heavier set body shapes and sizes. A softer, pillow-top mattress, with a higher gauge interior spring support, will gently hold the curvatures of the body, while displacing weight and pressure evenly across the surface. 

2. Sleeping style and posture 

If you tend to be a heavyset back sleeper, you will likely look for slightly firmer resistance in a mattress to keep your spine fully, and evenly, supported. Side sleepers may be more comfortable with a Medium to Plush support of curvatures like the hip area. If you have a teenager or young adult who splays out during sleep, then consider a broader, more accommodating ¾-size mattress instead of a single. Likewise, if you’re a heavier set sleeper with a partner, consider sizing up from double to queen, or from queen to king, so that there’s plenty of mattress area to roll and turn comfortably during the night. 

3. Height 

For the taller sleeper with outstretched legs, an extra-length mattress would be more suitable. Importantly, pay attention to the mid-area support of the mattress, including the slat support of the bed base. The tall and heavyset sleeper needs reinforced support to ensure that the full body weight is evenly distributed across the mattress. 

Are there weight limits on mattresses? 

A well-designed mattress is engineered for a specific level of support and comfort. For plus-sized bodies, a thicker, more durable gauge of coil resistance in the mattress would be recommended. Higher density internal foam layers can also add to an overall bolstering of the mattress. It’s the superbly constructed combination that gives you that delightful ‘floating’ feeling as you lie back. A heavy-duty mattress can comfortably support a frame of over 150kg. 

How to prolong the lifespan of a heavyweight mattress.

It’s no different for any mattress, really. If you have a double-sided mattress, then flip it regularly. Ensure an even use and wear of the mattress engineering over the years. Single-sided mattresses should likewise be turned. A reinforced bed base, with additional slats, will also keep the mechanics of the mattress sturdier over time.

Do heavier set people sleep differently?

Here we ask sleep scientist, Dr Dale Rae, to weigh in.

“Body contouring may likely require more attention for comfort and support than proportionate size and weight. Strategically placed pillows can help to relieve pressure points in the knees, hips, and along the spine as well as the positioning of the neck. Back sleepers may find spinal pressure relief by sliding a pillow under the small of the back, as well as the back of the knees to lift the legs slightly and flatten the posture of the spine. Slide sleepers might benefit from a pillow under the waist area and even a pillow between the knees to sustain a more comfortable alignment of the hips and pelvis. Side sleeping is often recommended for fuller contoured figures to help with easier, deep breathing throughout the night.” 

If you need to go big, go with Dial•a•Bed, South Africa’s leading branded bed store for all shapes and sizes. A sleep consultant will first understand your preferred sleeping postures, consider your ideal level of support and comfort, and then take you through the very best in outsized mattress support.  

In particular, ask about the Forty Winks collection, available exclusively from Dial•a•Bed. Forty Winks mattresses and bed sets have been completely redesigned and quality manufactured to accommodate the sleep needs of every South African sleeper. The Forty Winks Mega Sleep range has been developed specifically with the bigger, taller, heavier set sleeper in mind.

If you’ve been having sleeping issues lately, spend a little time on www.dialabed.co.za and compare your current mattress with the latest, improved technology that could make all the difference to a peaceful night’s sleep. You may also like to consult with a sleep scientist at www.sleepscience.co.za. Take a Sleep Test to gauge your sleep patterns and quality of sleep. Enrol for Sleep Coaching sessions that actively engage your personal sleep requirements. The better you sleep, the easier your day is. Take a load off. #SleepForLife.