What Is Extra Firm Mattress and Its Advantages?

Extra Firm Mattress
Extra Firm Mattress

When we talk about an extra firm mattress, we commonly refer to the level of hardness that we perceive when sitting or lying on them. A few years ago, if you wanted to know what is an extra firm mattress, you were almost forced to get a spring mattress on an upholstered base.

Fortunately, materials and technology have come a long way. We can find many mattresses that combine both things: comfort and firmness from memory foam mattresses to latex, mixed mattresses.

In this post, I will explain the qualities and characteristics of mattresses with high firmness.

What Is Extra Firm Mattress?

As I said, we generally call the firmness of the mattress “hardness”. However, technically, the concept “firm” is broader. While the mattress core provides the firmness, the hardness is provided by the quantity and quality of the padding.

When you go to buy your mattress, you have to take firmness into account. In the case of very high firmness mattresses, they must guarantee complete horizontality, without sinking at any point of the body.

However, people who have scoliosis extra firm mattress is forbidden for them. It is primarily intended for light people. This is most suitable for people who do not exceed 80 kg, but this also depends on morphology.

For example, people who are 1.50 m tall and weigh 80 kg will not be comfortable on a firm mattress. On the other hand, 1.80 m sleepers who weigh only 80 kg will be.

Advantages of an Extra Firm Mattress

More and more physical therapists, doctors, and other health professionals recommend sleeping on an extra firm mattress. The reasons for them are varied and vary for each user. In general, we will obtain the following benefits.

  • Greater comfort

We are never going to get to the point of “too much support.” We can, however, fall short. This can be a problem, especially for older people. They need excellent support for their back, neck, and joints.

  • Correct alignment of the spine

Maintaining proper posture is always essential, also when resting. If your back is incorrectly positioned during the eight hours you spend in bed, surely the next day, you will not feel too well.

An extra firm mattress will provide you with the necessary support to maintain the back’s correct posture. You will avoid causing stress in the area, and you will wake up more rested.

  • Deeper sleep

The human body is not able to rest on a too-soft mattress. This is because you will continuously be looking to balance the different parts of the body and the positions it adopts.

It is not only a question of the back but also the whole body needs proper support to have a deep sleep. If you continuously have to be moving to be more comfortable, you will not rest well.

  • Bodyweight distribution

Insufficient support will cause parts of the body to sink into the mattress, causing poor posture.

  • Health benefits

Adequate rest helps you have better health. During the night, the body goes through hundreds of processes to regenerate and rejuvenate body cells. This is when growth hormone kicks in, and insulin levels drop. Without the proper support that allows you to sleep soundly, you will be missing out on many of those benefits.

How to Choose the Right Firmness of A Mattress?

The appropriate firmness for each user is different. It varies depending on your weight, age, or physical capacity. An excessively firm mattress can also lead to wicked nights and inadequate rest. The body must be supported in a balanced way, with a correct alignment of all its parts.

The body, when lying down, exerts a series of pressure points caused by its weight. A mattress that is too firm can make those spots even painful, while a mattress that is too soft will make us unbalanced and uncomfortable.

To choose the correct firmness, several aspects must be taken into account:

Age: As we have said before, older people need more, if possible a firm support to help them maintain good postural hygiene.

Weight: What is firm for a person who weighs 50 kilos, will be very soft for a person who weighs 100 Kg. We must take into account the weight and body volume.

Back/neck injuries: If there have been previous injuries, they must be taken into account when choosing firmness.


If you are wondering what an extra firm mattress is, I hope this article helps you. The choice of firmness should be a personal choice.

Everyone likes firmness. A mattress is not better because it is harder or softer, nor is the price related to firmness. Some people prefer tough mattresses because they feel more comfortable with them. Others are less actively interested in them.

The most important thing is that you choose the one that best suits you, your tastes and your needs, always taking into account your health and your rest.


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