My honest (and unsolicited :)) review of Midwest Float
Today, I had my first float... long story short, I LIKED IT!!
Short story looooooong.... here was my experience:
Walked in, was greeted by the (I'm pretty sure) owner, I apologized for being a few mins late (darn stoplights!) and he showed us right in. (The hubs came w me to "take the tour".)
One thing I'd recommend is more visible signage on the outside bc if it weren't for my gps, I would've missed it entirely. However, the papered windows gave it kind of an underground, speakeasy feel and it was cool.
Upon entering the hall to the float rooms, you could smell the saltiness in the air, and it was very warm. Cozy. :) I had booked the Cabin vs the Pod as I'm mildly claustrophobic and it seemed like a better idea to have a little more room. (Next time i think I may try the Pod, just to compare.) I got the tour of the room, (both rooms btw are totally private, having locking doors and the showers are in the rooms) the Cabin and the shower with provisions.
You are required to shower off completely before entering the Cabin (or Pod) and in my opinion would be best to just come in as Au Naturel as possible, no makeup or hair products ect. There is bodywash ect available as well as a towel, washcloth, showershoes, earplugs, ear wash (for after) all provided and INCLUDED in the price of the float. Its also recommended that you remove any contact lenses (or glasses) before you float bc its SALTWATER lol... and if you forgot your lens case, they even have those available.
Ps, REALLY try to not get the salt water in your eyes. It burns like a mofo. : /
Its also recommended (and since its a totally private room, why not) to float sans clothing or as the post I read yesterday put it: " Nakey" because
A. Detergents in the swimsuits ect can eff with the filter and
B. It just feels better.
They micron- filter the water EACH time someone floats, so its as clean as the water you have coming out of the tap at home (maybe cleaner). So I really saw no reason to go with it... when in Rome, right?!
Anywho, it took awhile to get comfortable, but mostly it felt like a soupy bath. In a good way! I started with the soft lights on and had the music on the whole way thru... advanced users apparently go full out sensory deprivation with NO lights or music, but I was nervous for my busy brain. (Maybe next time!)
Eventually I got brave enough to turn out the lights, but several mins in I freaked myself out so I hit the button to turn them back on, and decided to crack open the door to the cabin for a little air movement. It's nice the door on the Cabin itself just has a gentle push magnetic closure, so theres no way to ever get "trapped" lol! Another few mins goes by and I turn off the lights in the Cabin again and was able to feel ok with the bit of moving air available from the open door (still totally private room, as the outer door to the room was locked).
The longer I laid there in the water, the more relaxed I became. The only sounds I could really hear other than the music were my own breathing and occasionally, my heartbeat. Every few mins my body would ever so slightly bump into the side wall of the basin, but in the moments I was "free floating" I did get a nice feeling of weightlessness... like when you floated in a pool or lake as a kid, but without any effort.
Towards the end, I did notice the salt crusting and drying out on my stomach, which was above the waterline, but these were really the only distractions I encountered.
The whole float session was 60mins (for your 1st float...I think reg sessions are 90min?) and that felt like a good amount of time for an introduction. I can definitely see however, a longer time being more beneficial.
When it was time to get out, the gentle lights come back on and a soft recorded voice comes over the music letting you know your time is complete and to please exit to the shower.
The water is only 10in deep, so with only minimal effort i sat up, and pulled myself up with the grab bars located next to the door. I had to get up SLOOOOWLY as my body had become acclimated to being horizontal and the salty water is actually kinda slippery lol.
So i showered off all the salty goodness with an unfortunately not *quite* hot enough shower (but I like them just a few degress off the surface of the sun temp, so I can be biased in that regard.) and dried off and got dressed.
A word to the wise, dont leave any of your clothing or valuables anywhere close enough to the shower area you could accidentally drip saltwater on as it will look like bird poo (on shoes at least) when it dries unless you scrub it off later (I learned this one the hard way lol!)
Overall it was a great experience, I would've preferred a little bit more guidance or closure as I left, bc I was so relaxed and out of it, but it was a cool time and I'd DEFINITELY do it again!
Oh, and ps... my skin is the SOFTEST THING EVARRRR right now read more