A Guy's Guide To Buying A Mattress

Shopping for a new mattress can be quite intimidating. Most people have no idea where to start to look or how much it is going to cost them, let alone what size mattress they want.

How do you know if you need a new Mattress? Here are some signs:

1. You're mattress is older than you.

2. When you really need a good night sleep you choose to sleep on the couch.

3. You started naming your bed bugs and leaving them chocolate on their pillow.

4. You wake up with aches, pains, stiffness, and numbness and your name isn't Abe Vigoda.

Survey says? You need a new mattress. So here are some tips on how to shop for one that is right for you. Ironically, we used to be told that, if you have a bad back, you need to sleep on the firmest mattress possible. Well, studies now strongly suggest that this is, in fact, why we have bad backs now. Those springs pressing against your pressure points all night are no good for you!

Once this was realized, we saw the emergence of pillow-top mattresses, euro-top mattresses, and now memory foam mattresses. So what's the difference?

The Pillow-Top - Basically, this is just a standard innerspring mattress that the manufacturer has essentially sewn a soft padded topping on top of, giving it a pillow feel. The thought behind it is that you still have the support of the springs in the mattress without having to sleep directly on top of them.

The Euro-Top- Basically, this is just a more dramatic version of a pillow-top (hence the name). It's much thicker than a pillow-top and it sewn right on the actual mattress so there is no space between the two like on a pillow-top.

The Memory Foam- Originally developed by NASA to improve aircraft cushions, it is now the biggest success story in the mattress industry today. Memory Foam molds to the contours of your body while still having the resiliency to maintain it's original form when you are not lying on it, preventing it from getting saggy or lumpy.

TIP: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A TEMPUR-PEDIC
MATTRESS TO OWN A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS!

Don't overpay for the name brand.

At the end of the day, we all have different budgets, different comfort levels, and different backs... so I say there is no clear right mattress for everyone. What I would suggest is that if you can not afford a full memory foam mattress set, at least try to buy a set that has some memory foam in the pillow or euro-top portion of the mattress. Also a mattress is a big purchase but it's your back we are talking about so don't be cheap. One easy way to save a few bucks on the purchase is to stay away from the big name brand mattresses.

BEST SUPER BOWL POOL EVER!

THE GUY IN 2A’S SUPER FUN SUPER BOWL POOL FOR EVERYONE TO PLAY!

*Print it out, make copies, everyone throw in $5 and whoever has the most right wins!

1. Will the coin toss be:

A) HEADS

B) TAILS

2. Will the first commercial after kick-off be an ad for:

A) BEER

B) CAR

C) MOVIE TRAILER

D) OTHER

3. Will the NUMBER of the player that scores the first touchdown be an:

A) ODD NUMBER

B) EVEN NUMBER

4. Will the BLACK EYE PEAS opening song for the halftime show be:

A) IMMA BE

B) I GOTTA FEELING

C) BOOM BOOM POW

D) THE TIME (The one they sample the Dirty Dancing song in)

E) LET’S GET IT STARTED

F) OTHER

5. Will FERGIE’s first outfit be:

A) PANTS

B) SKIRT ABOVE HER KNEES

C) SKIRT BELOW HER KNEES

D) SHORT SHORTS

6. Which team will score first:

A) PITTSBURGH

B) GREEN BAY

7. Will the announcers mention Brett Favre’s name more than once before the first quarter ends?

A) YES

B) NO

8. Which Quarterback will throw the first interception:

A) ROETHLISBERGER (Pittsburgh)

B) RODGERS (Green Bay)

9. Will any of the announcers say the word Facebook before the game ends:

A) YES

B) NO

10. Who will win the game:

A) PITTSBURGH

B) GREEN BAY

*TIEBREAKER: WHOEVER ATE THE MOST FOOD WINS!

A Sneak Peak at This Spring's New Colors, Styles, and Trends in Home Decor

I just got back from the Atlanta International Gift Show followed by the California Gift Show @ The L.A. Mart- two cities filled with the latest trends and tomorrows looks in home decor. I got to see some really fun and cool stuff that I wanted to share with you.

1. It's the new French Revolution- It seems that if you don't have a pillow with some french words scripted on it, clearly you are not that cool. Literally every designer showroom brought in this rustic French theme. I saw Eiffel Tower pillows, shot glasses, and salt & pepper shakers.

2. The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

The Beatles are back......again. So is Big Ben, and British Flags (like on these cool trunks above).

3. Anchors - I think this was my favorite come-back story of the shows. The Anchor is back and not in a snobby country club way. This is a fun and kitschy bath mat I saw from Kikkerland.

4. Insects and dragonflies are out! Owls, Peacocks, & Birdies are in! These flying animals were seen all over, from door mats to duvet covers.

5. I haven't seen this much Tie-Dye since my totally rad summer camp days in the 80's. It appears that, in anticipation of passing Prop 19: The Regulate, Control, & Tax Cannabis Act, designers were scurrying to set the mood. Unfortunately, the Prop didn't pass... but at least we got these cool pillows out of it.

This Is The Guy In 2A & I'm Gonna Pump....... You Up!

Did you know that "Getting In Shape" is the number one New Years Resolution for over 70% of Americans? More importantly, of those 70%, not even half get past January before they stop going to the gym. Well, fear not my fellow comrades cause I'm gonna give you your no-nonsense, no excuse way to get in shape this year without ever leaving your apartment. This way, you can't even use the bad weather excuse for why you didn't go to the gym this Winter.

I'm gonna turn your apartment into a gym without a Bowflex! Here are 5 great exercises you can do in your home.

1. The Dirty Dozen - I learned this in college from a frat brother who thought he was Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff.

So, you start with one regular push-up, then stand up and do a push-up against the wall at a 45 degree angle. Then, quickly jump back to the floor and do 2 push-ups then jump up and do 2 push-ups against the wall and repeat in this way- 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, till you get to 12! Don't rest too much in between and try to knock this out in under 3 minutes. This is a great exercise to do at home and you will definitely see results.

2. The Perfect Pull-Up

This is great for pull-ups & chin-ups and fits on any standard door frame. Actually, I prefer the knock-off version called The Iron Gym. You can grab it on-line or at any Bed, Beth, & Beyond. Even if you don't use it, your guests will still think you do.

3. Climb the stairs


Remember those things that exist in your building or place of work that are to be used only in case of an emergency? That's right, stairs. Climbing stairs is a great way to tone your legs and butt while getting a great cardio workout at the same time. Even if you have only one flight, no problem! Tip: try alternating single stepping with double stepping to work the different muscle groups in your legs (i.e. one flight single, one flight double) and you'll have the tush you've always wanted in no time!

4. Toilet Squats


Toilets aren't just for texting on your blackberry. They're also for motivating you to do more squats than you've ever done before- another great way to tone up your legs and butt. Pick up the lid and the seat (that's right, both of them) and knock out a few sets of 10-12 squats. Get down as close as you can to the rim of the toilet without touching it- this will ensure that you have proper form and are getting the most from each squat. Your motivation: not touching that rim. Want extra motivation: try this in a public toilet!

5. Re-arrange everything in your place!


This is a great alternative to you and friend fighting through traffic to get to the 6:00pm spin class. Also, it's a great way to make some quick and easy changes in your place. Step 1- invite a friend. Step 2- pick a room that can use some sprucing. Step 3- make a gameplan (i.e. sofa here, coffee table there, etc.) and give yourself a time constraint. The key: using proper form so you don't get hurt (see example above- Barack- great form, knees bent, head straight. Other dude... he's not lifting anything yet but it sure looks like those knees are locked). Disclaimer: The Guy in 2A is not responsible for any injuries associated with this post.

And if you act now I'll throw in this bonus workout video!!!