What should you consider when choosing a mattress to find a durable, comfortable model that is optimally suited to you for years to come?
How to choose the right mattress firmness?
Mattress firmness is often considered its most important parameter, and it should always be selected according to individual characteristics and needs. A mattress that is too soft or too firm may be unable to keep the spine in a physiological position during sleep, thereby exposing it to the development of painful conditions and postural defects. Today, more and more people work at desks or spend hours behind the wheel, while fewer and fewer have time for physical activity. A properly selected mattress can protect such people from persistent back pain and perhaps even lengthy rehabilitation.
Leading mattress manufacturers, such as the Hilding Anders brand, use a four-level scale to determine the firmness of individual models.
- H1 denotes soft mattresses, usually chosen for children or older people. They are recommended for people weighing no more than just over 50 kg.
- H2 is the symbol for medium-soft mattresses, which should be used by people weighing between 50 and 80 kg.
- H3 denotes medium-firm models, best suited to people weighing between 80 and 100 kg and those who prefer a firm sleeping surface despite having a lower body weight.
- H4 models are firm, also described as very firm, and are recommended for people weighing over 100 kg. At a lower body weight, it is better not to choose these models without a clear medical recommendation.
It was once believed that using the firmest possible mattress was beneficial for spinal health. Today, orthopaedists and physiotherapists agree that a mattress must be neither too firm nor too soft. A model that is too firm will force the spinal muscles to remain constantly tense, which may result in pain. A model that is too soft, although it may seemingly provide a pleasant feeling of enveloping the body, will be unable to keep the spine in the correct position and may therefore worsen existing postural defects and curvature.
If you are unsure which mattress firmness to choose, it is worth considering models with several firmness levels. One option is a reversible mattress, such as the Hilding Flamenco or Macarena models, which have two different firmness levels on their two sides. Another possibility is a hybrid mattress, such as the Hilding Electro model, which offers all four firmness levels thanks to removable toppers.
What materials are mattresses made from?
Mattresses are divided into spring and foam models. These types differ in construction: spring models are based on traditional springs, which Hilding encloses in small fabric pockets, while foam mattresses are made from a single block or several layers of stable, flexible foam. Which of them will be the better choice?
- Spring mattresses are exceptionally durable and resistant to mechanical damage. By enclosing the springs in fabric pockets and increasing their number, these mattresses provide excellent point elasticity, meaning that their top layer bends only at the point of pressure. The pocketed springs do not shift or squeak.
- Foam mattresses work particularly well with adjustable and lifting bed frames. Modern foams are durable and resistant to deformation, as well as stable, which means that mattresses made from them can have different firmness levels. Foam models are especially valued for their hygiene, since foams are breathable materials.
An elastic foam layer can always be found in the top layer of a mattress, directly beneath its cover, regardless of the construction selected. Hilding mattresses contain high-resilience foams with above-average durability and elasticity, as well as thermoactive foams that adapt to the body under the influence of its heat. The foam in the top layer should be selected according to personal preferences and any health problems. Flexifoam, often used in Hilding mattresses, is a fairly versatile choice with high point elasticity. Visco foam, on the other hand, thanks to its thermoactive properties, can adapt to the body's natural contours better than any other foam, relieving tired joints, preventing pressure points and relieving the spinal muscles.
Where is it worth buying a mattress in Legnica?
Legnica materac on Materacelegnica.pl is a directory of shops cooperating with the Hilding brand. It includes online shops, which are becoming increasingly popular, as well as brick-and-mortar stores with addresses and contact information. Mattresses in online shops are often ordered by people who have previously had contact with the materials they selected and know that they are the optimal choice for them. Someone who is not very familiar with the new technologies used in mattresses and concepts such as point elasticity or thermoelastic foam may need to test a mattress in person before buying it. Lying on it and checking its comfort firsthand is the best way to choose the ideal mattress. Kalisz materac on Materacekalisz.pl is a similar collection of information, useful for residents of Kalisz. Hilding mattresses are available in every larger city in Poland.