Frequently Asked Questions

Epsom salt is a magnesium-rich mineral used for centuries to improve sleep, and reduce pain, cramping, headaches, and muscle ache. And there’s half a ton of it in each of our pods!

Epsom salt also makes dry skin feel soft and supple; and can remove impurities, toxins, oil and dirt from the skin. The magnesium in the Epsom salt is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, and therefore helps to improve skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and athlete’s foot. Find out more on our Epsom salt page.

There are no known negative side-effects of floating. But there are numerous scientifically proven benefits - see our benefits pages or read about the science of floating for more.

Because floating is so relaxing, many people fall asleep in the pods. Some say one hour of floating (even when awake) is equivalent to two or three hours of deep sleep. It is also scientifically proven to improve sleep quality, so it’s great for people who suffer from insomnia or have jet lag from travelling.

Our high salinity water means nothing harmful can exist in the pods. The water is sanitised and filtered through a 1-micron pool filter (that’s 1/100th the diameter of a human hair!) between each session. It goes through a UV lamp filter to kill all bacteria, it is also micro-dosed with hydrogen peroxide to further sanitise the water.

The rooms and pods are deep cleaned everyday and also cleaned and santised in between each session. All rooms are well ventilated with air filteration systems.

Apart from our one-time Introductory 3 for 2 Package, all float are sharable, which includes all pack and membership floats. This means you can share the Floatworks experience with as many friends or family as you wish.

Like exercise, meditation, and many other things, you’ll notice more of a difference if you float regularly. Once a month is ideal - and if you can do more, all the better. We suggest setting a regular floating schedule; the same day and time each month, every two weeks, or for some, even weekly.

Floating at least once a month will help you relax your mind and body; improve sleep, increase endorphins, reduce muscular tension, and reduce lifestyle stresses.

The easiest way to book floats and manage your schedule is by using the Floatworks App.

Download now on iOS or Android from the App Store.

With the App you can: Purchase floats Make bookings Cancel and reschedule your floats View your visit history View your schedule View your account View exclusive offers and promotions

You can also book via our online system on our booking page.

Yes we do! If you refer a friend who purchases a package worth £90 or more, you can be rewarded with 1 FREE float - Speak to our Float and Wellbeing Guides for more detail.

It’s a common worry, but the pods are much bigger than people expect - so big, in fact, that you can stretch out without touching the sides! If you do feel nervous, you can always leave the top open, or have the inside light on for as long as you like - you’re in complete control. Once inside the pod, people are usually surpirsed at how safe and relaxed they feel.

Most people don’t wear anything when floating, and this is what we recommend. Remember, you’ll have your very own room, equipped with private shower! Anything you wear while floating will become heavy with Epsom salt and can cause a distraction during your float. However, if you want to wear something, that’s fine too.

If you have a digital gift card, you can redeem via our APP and creating an account with us. Select the voucher that corresponds to your gift card (e.g. Single Float Gift Card = Single Float) and enter your gift card number at checkout to redeem.

You can also redeem by giving us a call on 02073570111, and a member of the team will help create your account, and add your Floats.

If you have a physical gift card, please give us a call on 0207 357 0111 or email us at hi@floatworks.com to book your first session.

Parking near our Vauxhall Centre can be found off Nine Elms Lane, in St George Wharf Car Park at the foot of the Vauxhall Tower. There you can park for up to 2 hours for £6.30. Here’s how to find us:

• From Battersea: turn left just before the St George Wharf development;
• From Wandsworth Road: turn left onto Nine Elms Lane then an immediate right; or
• From Parry Street: go over the junction, then an immediate right.

Your parking ticket will provide a code which you need to access the stairs and lift, which you’ll find in parking zone M. Take the stairs or lift to the ground level, and when you come out, Floatworks should be opposite you on your right.

Benefits such as reduced anxiety and improved sleep have been scientifically proven to last for several days after a single session. However, everyone is different, and results vary. If you float for longer or more regulalry, then there is a cumulative effect to the benefits.

People with a Floatworks Membership float at least once a month, and often much more. Many get to know us and other members of the community well. Becoming a Floatworks Member also gives you access to discounted floats for friends and family, and access to great deals with lots of wellness brands in London.

You can park for free on the single yellow lines right outside the centre after 7pm Monday - Saturday, and all day on Sunday.

When that’s not available, there are several paid parking options 1-2 minutes away for around £4 per hour. Type the centre’s postcode (N1 2SA) into https://www.parkopedia.co.uk to find which is best for you.

Like a lot of things - exercise, meditation or reading - floating is beneficial for us at any time of the day. And people prefer to float at different times, which is why we offer sessions from 7.30am all the way through to 9pm.

However, we’ve noticed that first-timers assume that floating in the evening will be better for them. Here’s why you should consider all times of the day and see what works for you.

Learn more: https://floatworks.com/what-is-floating/floating-in-the-morning

We offer students 15% off - please give us a call or visit a centre to make a purchase, you must present your student ID at reception on the day of booking before your float session.

*Discount excludes Intro Pack Offer

We offer NHS staff 15% off discounts - please give us a call or visit a centre to make a purchase, you must present an adequate ID at reception on the day of booking before your float session.

*Discount excludes Intro Pack Offer

We provide everything you need to enjoy the Floatworks experience: Fluffy white towels, earplugs, natural & ethical shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, hairdryers, GHD hair straighteners, natural body moisturiser, cotton buds, hair ties, vaseline, and complimentary herbal teas for after your float. We also have a selection of healthy snacks and cold drinks for you to purchase.

What you might want to bring: Any other personal toilettries. You have your own private room so we suggest floating naked to be completely free of sensation - but if you’d prefer to wear a swimsuit or shorts, remember to bring a bag to put them in afterwards, too.

Most people float for an hour. However, the longer and more regularly you float, the greater the benefits you’ll experience. Increasingly, people are booking double floats,Simply book 2 sessions back-to-back and you will be allocated a maximum of 2hrs in the pod from entry.

Floating at any time of day is good. Some people like to float early in the morning to clear their mind or increase focus for the day ahead. Some people prefer midday/early afternoon to split the day up and rest - like an afternoon nap. Others prefer floating in the evening so they can simply relax afterwards, or to maximise the sleep-improving benefits. We recommend trying each time of day and seeing what works for you.

We don’t currently offer overnight floats, but you can float for longer periods of time by booking 2 sessions back-to-back.

The shortest session time we offer is one hour, as it ensures you have long enough to reach a state of deep relaxation. However, you are free to get out of the pod whenever you like!

As long as you wash and condition your hair after each float, the magnesium in the Epsom Salt will improve the condition of your hair and scalp, and not damage it.

A mechanism in the pod brings the water temperature to 35 degrees - the same as your skin and the air, so that you cannot tell where the water begins and ends.

Floatation therapy is the same thing as sensory deprivation or isolation tanks, but they’ve been modernised and improved immeasurably since they were first popularised a few decades ago - and given a friendlier name!

There have been many scientific studies on floating and its benefits since the 1950s. Some proven impacts include: reduced pain, stress, and tension, increased relaxation and better sleep, lowered blood pressure & cortisol levels, improved muscle range and athletic performance, antidepressent effects, increased creativity and cognitive function. Read more on our Science of Floating page.

The majority of people emerge from their float feeling refreshed and relaxed, with a clearer head. The benefits are different for everyone, so it’s best to be open-minded about what you’ll experience. Sometimes it can take a few floats to learn how to swtich off fully - so stick with it if you felt like you could have relaxed more deeply.

It’s not the same for everyone, but people often find their third float is notably different to the first two. It may be that as a very unique experience, it takes some getting used to floating - and when the experience becomes more familiar, we can surrender to it completely and experience the benefits more deeply.

We use half a tonne (525kg) of Epsom salt per pod. Read more on our Epsom salt page.

If you have the space - yes! They cost around around £20,000 - just get in touch with ed@floatworks.com

All float packages purchased should be used within the expiration period. The expiration period begins from the date of purchase.

Single and Double Float - 3 months expiry Introductory 3 for 2 Package - 3 months expiry 4 x Floats Package - 3 months expiry 8 x Floats Package - 6 months expiry

All membership floats purchased should be used within the expiration period. The expiration period begins from the date of purchase.

1 Float per month - 3 months expiry 2 Floats per month - 3 months expiry 4 Floats per month - 6 months expiry

See our T&Cs for more detail.

If you have signed up to receive account email notifications. We send a reminder 30-days before expiry to make sure you have plenty of time to use them. If you find you are unable to use your float before its expiry, please contact us and will review your situation.

You can cancel or change a booking before 24 hours of your booking time. This can be done via our Floatworks APP, online via our website, or onsite with our teams through your personal Floatworks account.

If you cancel within 24hrs of your booked appointment, you booking will be charged in full. That’s because if we had lots of empty bookings due to last minute cancellations, we wouldn’t be able to keep our prices competitive.

We ask for your email address so that we can send you an appointment confirmation and receipt. Having your telephone number means we can get through to you if there are any last minute updates to your appointment.

No, a Mindbody login for another company won’t let you book floats with us. You’ll need to create a Floatworks login.

All card details are stored with our booking software provider, Mindbody. Mindbody is a PCI Compliant Level 1 Service Provider - the credit card industry’s highest security standard - so you can rest assured that your data is safe. Part of being compliant includes encrypting your credit card numbers and showing only partial credit card information in our software. They also encrypt your billing information, back it up daily, and securely store it offsite.

Simply book 2 sessions back-to-back and you will be allocated a maximum of 2hrs in the pod from entry.

By booking a double float, you agree to accept that some peripheral noise may be heard while the team are considerately cleaning the other pod rooms nearby.

Weekday evenings and weekends are our most popular times. We advise booking two weeks in advance to ensure you can float around the time you’d like. If your preferred slot isn’t available, we can add you to our waitlist and we’ll call you in the event of a cancellation. Simply email the location that you are trying to book at.

Either the email address on your file is incorrect, or you opted out of receiving schedule reminders and appointment updates. To change your registered email address, or opt back into these emails, log in to your account or you can update on our App.

You can purchase a physical gift card at either of our centres or over the phone. Only digital electronic gift cards are available online.

You can book multiple sessions online to float at the same time as your friends. Just select your preferred slot and the system will tell you how many pods are available. You then have to book each session separately.

If you haven’t let us know you can’t make it to your session with more than 24 hours’ notice, we have to take payment.

Our members can book recurring appointments - please speak to one of our Float Guides either in-store or over-the-phone to learn how to do this, or how to become a member.

Our booking system isn’t ideal (yet!) for booking multiple sessions at once. You will need to go through the booking process for each session. If you purchase two floats and want to use them both for a double session, you’ll still need to book the second session. Please check your profile to see your bookings for each session appear, and give us a call us if you want to double check you’re all set.

If you have a favourite room, please tell one of our Float Guides and we will try to get you the room of your choice.

We have a range of options for corporate wellness schemes. Please email chris@floatworks.com to discuss.

You can freeze your membership for up to three months at a time. There needs to be a three month period between each freeze. Simply email members@floatworks.com or speak to us in the centre to do this.

Your monthly membership cost is all you pay for membership, and that includes one or two float session every month, as well as the other benefits such as 20% off all retail products. Additional floats can be purchased at the your membeship rate for you or gifted to friends.

When you become a member, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the necessary information. If you’re not sure whether you received it, or want to ask about an offer, contact members@floatworks.com.

Float four times in a month and get a free float.

Please check your account to see your payment schedule. If you’re still concerned, please contact members@floatworks.com.

You can buy additional floats at your discounted membership rate through your online account, or via the Floatworks App.

You can’t share membership, but you can gift your friends and family a float, or share your promo code so that they can book a float at your discounted membership rate.

To share your membership float rate with someone, just give them your promo code from your welcome email and tell them to use it when booking their session.

There is a minimum commitment of three months. After this, you can cancel at any time with 10 days’ written notice by emailing members@floatworks.com.

You’re welcome to use your membership at any Floatworks location.

Yes. You can purchase multiple memberships on the same account, up to any number of floats per month.

Yes, you can pick your start date when setting up your membership.

We’re the only float centre in the UK to use the world-leading i-sopod floatation tanks. They use a sanitizing filter that’s the finest of any pod in the world, they are bigger than other pod, and are the safest - heating the water in a unique way, and not emitting electro-magnetic energy into the water.

Yes - our t-shirts are very popular! Visit any Floatworks centre and ask us for one. You get one for free if you become a Floatworks Member.

Email chris@floatworks.com for a chat and to be sent the media pack.

Please do - you can leave feedback on one of our feedback forms in the centre, or by filling out our online form.

Great! Just email hi@floatworks.com.

The Floatworks App is available on both the App Store and Google Play.

Yes, please let us know about any health conditions, and read our waiver carefully (online or in-centre, depending on how you sign up). Most importantly, you should check with your doctor before floating.

Don’t worry, there’s no way you can drown - even if you tried! The high buoyancy of the water makes it impossible for you to sink beneath the surface.

It is completely safe for pregnant women to float. Although we advise that you consult a doctor to ensure Floating is safe for your pregnancy. Many women have found unique relief from the physical strains of later pregnancy when they float, as pressure is taken off of their backs. We also hear from pregnant women that floating is the perfect environment to connect with their baby, as they can more easily sense them in the stillness of the pod. If you’re pregnant, let us know and we can give you some extra tips on how to get the most out of your float before you get here or when you arrive.

Yes, you can float when you’re menstruating - it can be the perfect way to nourish yourself, and to encourage your muscles to relax if you get cramps. Just follow the same process as when you go swimming.

Our Floatworks Angel Location has a fully accessible WC and float room. This is the location we ask customers to attend if they are a person with a disability or care for a person with a disability. Before booking a float, please email angel@floatworks.com and ask for someone to call you to discuss your visit. This is so that we can talk through the process together with you and ensure it is completely safe for you to float either with or without a carer present, and so that we can make sure our team is prepared to support your visit.

You must be over 16 years old to float - people under the age of 16 are not allowed to float due to health and safety regulations.

Epsom salt can sting any areas of broken skin, so we recommend not floating during a flare-up of eczema or psoriasis. However, many people with recurrent eczema and psoriasis find that floating helps these conditions. Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate - and magnesium is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, which helps keep minor skin irritations clean. Floating also helps to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and research has shown that flare-ups of eczema and psoriasis are often correlated with stress levels. Therefore, regular floating could help prevent further flare-ups. If you do want to float and have a flare up, you can always use vaseline on the area to stop it from stinging so much.

We strongly advise you to wear the earplugs provided to avoid getting salt in your ears! If you’ve found out why we recommend that for yourself, try getting the salt out with a cotton-bud. You can use water, or white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio.

Because of the high salt concetration in the water, floating can be slightly dehydrating. However, just counteract that by making sure you’re hydrated pre and post-float and you won’t notice any difference.

We recommend saving your shave for a non-float day, as the salty water can sting freshly-shaven areas. However, if you do shave on the day, you can cover up wherever you’ve shaved with the vaseline we provide to reduce irritation and stinging.

We have a no-drugs policy. If you seem to be under the influence or alcohol or any other drug, you won’t be allowed to float that day. This is for your own safety.

Being half-cut in the pod would be an unpleasant experience. We don’t recommend it, and we don’t allow people to float under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Floating is proven to reduce blood pressure. Check with your doctor about floating if you suffer from low blood pressure.

If you are deemed unfit to float, it will be for health and personal safety reasons. If this is the case, you will unfortunately not be able to float with us. We will reschedule your session or provide you with a refund.

The inside of the pod is 8.5ft x 5.5ft. We haven’t had anyone who doesn’t comfortably fit in one yet!

There are no weight limits - the salt can hold anyone afloat.

Floating and fresh tattoos don’t mix. The time you would need to wait depends on the tattoo (check with your tattoo artist), but we would recommend waiting 4-6 weeks before floating after getting a tattoo.

We use UV light as the primary disinfectant, along with a filtration system that’s the finest of any pod in the world - 100 times finer than a human hair! We also use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to oxidise any bacteria, but it can’t harm humans. It’s the safest and healthiest way we can keep the pods clean. We also add one spray of diluted chlorine to the ventilation system each day after we close in the evenings - but this doesn’t go into the water.

As long as the wound is not too large or open, you can cover cuts and scrapes with the vaseline provided. This will add a protective, waterproof layer to prevent stinging. If you choose to brave it without the vaseline, the saltwater will sting, but is also thought to have healing properties.

For safety reasons we do not allow people with epilepsy to float.

If you have a sensitive vagina, this can be helped by putting some petroleum jelly that we provide on your vulva. This would act as a protective, waterproof layer to prevent stinging. We recommend not shaving or waxing on the day of a float to avoid any discomfort. We also advise for any existing irritation or burning from infections to be cleared before floating.

You don’t need to prepare for you float. However, we recommend not shaving or drinking caffeine on the day - this and more is explained on the Floatworks Experience page, which we suggest everyone reads before their first float with us.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your float session is due to begin so that we have time to check you in and explain everything thoroughly.

If you just 5 minutes late, we can offer you an 5 extra minutes on the end of your float if you can shower quickly. But if you are any later you will have to have a shorter session time, because we need time to thoroughly clean the rooms between each customer.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late then we will do our best to accommodate you but you might be rescheduled.

We recommend a light meal two hours before your float. Ideally you’ll not be hungry or too full in the pod.

It’s important that you’ve washed your hair a couple of times since it was dyed. That way the dye will have set properly, and the water won’t harm your hair colour, and your hair colour won’t colour our pods!

We don’t recommend consuming caffiene before a float, so that you can relax more deeply. However, if you always drink coffee, we don’t want you to have a caffeine-withdrawal headache! And if you’re intending to be mentally active during your float - maybe using it to think creatively about a challenge, having a coffee beforehand is fine.

If you wear contact lenses, you don’t need to take them out, but you do need to be careful not to get any water in your eyes as it will irritate them.

We ask everyone to shower at the beginning of their float to remove any excess oil or dirt from the body and hair, which means the filters in the pods don’t need to work overtime!

We recommend you remove loose jewellery incase anything falls off inside the pod, and so that you can feel completely free. Additionally, we can’t take responsibility for any loss or damage to accessories you take into the pod!

Yes, please remove all make-up before you get into the pod.

We don’t offer floating in pairs, because it wouldn’t allow you to experience all the benefits of floating which come from the lack of sensory input. However, we have a few pods at each centre, so if you book a float at the same time as someone else, you can arrive together, float at the same time, and relax and talk about your experience with eachother afterwards.

Often, our minds are overactive, so it can be difficult to ‘switch off’ anywhere - inside the pod included! This is totally normal, especially for people floating for the first time. Remember, it gets easier and more natural to switch off the more you float, and floating will be all the more beneficial for you if you tend to have trouble ‘switching off’. Each float is different, and we recommend that you embrace whatever experience you have - just observing the thoughts you have with detatched interest.

Some people find that doing some simple stretches of their ams and legs while lying down and floating can help them settle into a deep rest in the pod. People who do yoga might even experiment with a floating twist! While we don’t recommend being active for long, a simple stretch can help you settle. An hour sounds like a long time with no stimulation, but it tends to go quickly - with people often saying they wish it had lasted longer!

Swimming caps or head caps don’t keep the water from coming into contact with your hair completely - so you will probably still need to wash it post-float to get the salt out. Wearing something on your head can also compromise the experience of a lack of sensation, so we recommend floating without one on if you can. But it’s entirely up to you!

If you get the water in your eye, it will sting. But don’t worry - there’s a spray bottle filled with fresh water inside each pod. Simply spray this into your eyes and the stinging will stop.

You have complete control of the lid. Our pod lids are manual, not mechanised, so you never have to fear being trapped! We recommend closing it to keep the temperature constant and experience the darkness, but you can leave the lid cracked a little, or open completely if you prefer.

You have complete control of the light. We recommend trying to turn the light off to benefit from the lack of sensory input, but many people leave the light on and still expereince many benefits.

Yes. We do recommend floating without music to benefit from sensory deprivation. However, if you prefer music throughout your session, then simply mention it to one of our Float Guides when you arrive and you can pick from our selection of relaxing tracks.

We don’t offer that experience at the moment, but we might do in future!

We don’t offer that experience at the moment, but we might do future!

It’s not a requirement that you wear the earplugs, but we really recommend it. They add an extra layer of soundproofing, and prevent salty water from getting into your ears. And don’t worry, we provide them free of charge.