Alternative race recovery or a spot of relaxation

If like me you are taking part in Run Hackney this weekend, then you might want to think about treating yourself to a relaxing post race float at Floatworks

I am sure you have already heard about the benefits of Epsom Salts to help ease the pain of aching muscles, well times that by 100 as you step into the biggest bath of Epsom Salts ever, imagine how good that’s going to make those aching muscles feel?

When I had a job in the City I used to have monthly floats at the Floatwork studio in London Bridge, at first I was nervous as I suffer from claustrophobia & a fear of water (I  can’t swim), so the  first time I visited I left the tank door open until I relaxed (don’t worry you are always in a private room), I am not entirely sure how my friend convinced me to go for my first float – it was probably the lure of a Groupon offer, but I am glad she did, as with a demanding career my monthly floats soon became a really good way to relax & have some me time, an hour to switch off and unwind

Following a change of ownership & move from London Bridge to Vauxhall, I was really excited to be invited down for a float to celebrate Floatworks relaunch at the start of April, the new studio is situated just a 2 minute walk from Vauxhall Station & is designed to ensure complete tranquility during your visit

When you arrive you are asked to complete a short questionnaire before the float process is explained to you, you are then invited to leave coats, bags shoes etc in a locker & before you are shown to your private room, the rooms are small but adequate, and contain the tank and your own private shower

In the room you are left a towel, some ear plugs and vaseline to cover any cuts or grazes, before you are left to undress/change and enjoy your float session.

As I mentioned in the past I have found the sessions so relaxing I have fallen asleep, I’m one of those people that find it very hard to switch off from daily life, unfortunately this time I was a bit like ‘ohh I wonder if I can snap a quick selfie to share on Instagram’

Post float, you  have a shower, shower gels, shampoo and conditioners are all supplied, before getting dressed and being invited to spend some time in the Floatworks  chill out area, where they offer complimentary juices and green teas, they even have a hair care area complete with hair dryers, straightners

So would I recommend Floatworks, absolutely, I definitely intend to go back myself, I had planned to go after the marathon but unfortunately stairs were not my friend so I couldn’t face the trip into London.

If I were asked for feedback, my suggestions would be a hook somewhere in the room to hang clothes, offer clients two towels, if you have women attending one isn’t enough when you are encouraged to sort your hair out in a room upstairs & maybe a bath pillow, the pillow won’t fit with the luxe feel of Floatworks but for first time floaters who may take a little time to relax these will definitely stop you coming out with neck ache (& on a personal note pack a toiletry bag with deodorant, hairbrush etc to take into the float room, rather than leaving them in your locker and then having to make a dash to the loo to put on deodorant and run a comb through your soaking wet hair)

Want to know a bit more about what floating is and the benefits of it, here’s a snippet I have pinched from the Floatworks website

So what is Floating 

Floatation therapy at The Floatworks is the practice of lying back effortlessly in one of our world leading i-sopod floatation tanks and drifting into a blissful, deep, meditative state that rejuvenates and revives your mind and body.

Here comes the technical bit!

Also known as floatation & float therapy, the floatation experience is delivered through a super-saturated Epsom-salt solution, 25cm deep and containing 525kg of magnesium rich Epsom-salts.

The solution is heated to skin temperature (35.5°C) and the environment in the tank is controlled so that the air is also skin temperature. Once you are settled, it is impossible to tell which parts of your body are in the water and which are not.

This creates an environment similar to that of the Dead Sea but without the sensation of temperature or movement, which lets you float effortlessly on the surface of the water, enjoying a feeling of total freedom & weightlessness!

Our Isopod tanks are the best on earth, specifically designed to block out all external distractions including sight, sound, tactile sensations and gravity. This environment brings long lasting and transformational experiences.

Floating has become increasingly popular, as more people have learnt about floatation therapy’s remarkable benefits.

So why float

 

NB : I was offered a complimentary float from Floatworks to celebrate their launch weekend, I was not asked to write a blog post in return but as I enjoyed it so much & had previously paid to visit I wanted to share my experience