Float First

I had no idea what a float tank was until a friend of mine told me about it. I purchased a session through Groupon for $ 20.
My experience was awesome. I was by myself and there was actually only 1 person in the facility. He was very kind and accommodating. I watched a 3 minute video. I was shown to a room with the capsule and a shower. After an hour of being inside the capsule filed with sat water in the pitch blackness with soothing spa music I got out and showered myself off. Everything is provided for you. The truth is, I didn’t feel any different when I was finished or that night. However, I did feel very relaxed and peaceful afterward.

Interesting Experience
I not long ago seen these guys advertising on «Amazon Local» for $ 30 for a first float and I figure out why not try it out. The business location is in a small strip mall shopping area of the Green Briar Area of Hampton Roads. Upon walking in both my wife and I were greeted and asked to fill out a few forms which is standard procedure for any place like this. We were both shown the floating pods and where to shower of afterwards. Not a moment later and it was time for our 60-​minute floats. The experience was very unique in there is so much salt per gallons of water that you float in only 10 inches of water. They give you the option of listening to soothing music and having dim blue lights on or off during your float to help with relaxing. The temperature of the water was right around 96*F which I found to be a little too cold to get comfortable for my experience. I was a little bummed that I didn’t get to full experience a FULL relaxation but for the last 15 minutes I did and it was an experience that’s hard to describe other than your weightless and don’t really feel anything, that is unless you move and arm or leg.
**Overall, it was just OK and nothing special other than for a first experience or two. Since I couldn’t feel a real difference between floating and a physical massage, I think I’ll stick to getting the later.
Cheers!

Like another reviewer, I suffered a bad headache from fumes, and it was not at all sound proof, a lot of noise comes through the walls. Although, I did like the shower.

Booked an appointment via their website for my first float. I did a large amount of independent research on different «float spas» in the area and decided that while Float First was an hour+ from my home, it looked the most professional. I was dead wrong.
I left my home in Williamsburg 15 minutes early so that I could speak with staff about some questions I had. I drove the 75 minutes it took to get there only to find Float First was CLOSED!!! I received no phone call, no email, not even a text message. I left several voicemails for the business as well as an email (because I’m considerate) asking what happened and requesting an explanation. None of my requests for contact were returned. This «business» is a complete joke. I’m appalled by the lack of caring and customer service exhibited in my experience. If you’re looking for a float tank… look elsewhere.

I purchased a Groupon for me and my husband to give this experience a try. We were both really excited based on the claims on their website– claims of utter relaxation and pain relief for an hour– and drove 2 hours from Richmond to visit their facility. Unfortunately, our experience was not at all what we hoped for.
Shortly after closing the pod door, I experience a severe headache from the intense chlorine vapors that filled the humid enclosure and had to open the pod for fresh (cold) air. After settling in again, I was frequently startled by loud banging sounds (I think they maybe came from the pod) that sounded like someone was knocking on the door, so I kept having to look and check if someone was at the door. Each time I tried to lay down and relax again, there was a period of trying to get back to the center of the pod and frequent bumping into the walls of the pod.
Needless to say, this was no where near relaxing and I actually exited the pod early because my headache had become so severe. I found it quite telling that neither employee asked us how our experiences were before leaving the facility.

I had a wonderful first float here. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They answered all my questions before and after my float experience. I found the actual float itself to be very calming and soothing. It took most of my hour to really get into the mind set and let my body just relax but once I did I started to see some really beautiful closed and open eye visualizations. I’d definitely go back and stay in longer. Oh, also! My skin and hair feel amazing after the float wow.

This 4 star ranking instead of 5 may be more because of me than Float First, but…
First of all, the customer service is outstanding. The facility is clean, well run, and the atmosphere is relaxing.
I had my first float yesterday, and I’m definitely interested in floating more. I believe there are only 3 places in all of Virginia to float, and I hear this is the best place, so it’s an investment in time to drive from Richmond to Chesapeake to float, but Float First is considering another location closer to me. That’ll be great.
Anyhow, the float experience for me was in a word relaxing. Driving back from Chesapeake to Richmond I thought would defeat the purpose of floating, but the feeling lasted. When I got home, I was so relaxed. I thought I’d go to sleep and sleep forever, but I couldn’t sleep. I was just in a state of deep relaxation. However, once I did get to sleep for the evening, it was the hardest I’d ever slept in my life. I didn’t want to wake up.
The only thing I’d change about Float First is putting the shower (s) outside of the float room. When you get out of the float tank, it takes some time to snap out of your relaxed state, shower, get dressed… I felt kind of rushed to get it all done, I literally put my clothes on when I was still wet. And the shower is so high tech, it’s a bit difficult to figure out. It started out on 83 degrees, but quickly went up to 89, and I was burning up. Again, I think that was my fault, just not knowing how to adjust the temperature, but right after floating, it was a bit jarring to have to deal with that and hurry up out of the room.
Anyhow, I’ll definitely go back. I am told the more you float, the deeper into relaxation you go, and the more profound the benefits. Enjoy!
Sidenote: Floating is supposed to also improve athletic performance… I’m coming off an injury and rebuilding fitness, but just knocked off 10 MINUTES from my 8.5 mile hilly run from last week! I’m going to attribute this to floating :-)

I love this place. It has a lot of nice touches that make floating a bit more comfortable. For instance, the shower is always warm. You don’t have to wait for it to warm up. The towels are white, fluffy, and clean. The shower products are nice– not sure if they are organic– probably not, but they are nice. They have a dressing table so that you can take your time primping after the float. The best thing is the staff. They are enthusiastic floaters who want you to have a good time. They are professional, friendly and helpful. If there is a problem, they go out of their way– above and beyond even– to make sure you leave happy.
Floating is awesome. If you haven’t tried it, go for it. If you are wondering where to go, go here. Little things make a difference. Just plan ahead because it’s no secret that they are really good. They are always busy.

After realizing I had an expiring Groupon I called Float First this morning and Kenny was able to get me an afternoon appointment. Upon arrival, I watched the requisite instructional video which made it abundantly clear that I should NOT get water in my eyes. Kenny walked me back to the room and explained how everything works which I really did appreciate. After he left I took disrobed, put in my ear plugs, took the required pre-​shower to rid myself of body oils, and climbed into the pod. I figure go big or go home so I closed the lid all the way and turned out the lights.
Inside the pod: things are a bit odd at first. It is hard to believe you are really floating without assistance but it’s true. Your body just hovers right on the top of the water. Your head won’t go under although I did end up using a neck float which for me was a bit more comfortable. After I got used to floating I really did zone out for a while. It is completely dark in the pod and I had some pretty vivid dreams — if you can call them dreams. Visions maybe? There were a couple times I thought I forgot to breath. It’s like being asleep without sleeping. I chose to have the music play for the full hour and I am glad I did. You can do that or have it play for the first 10 minutes. At the end, I exited the pod and showered off. Be careful to not get salt water in your eyes (remember the previous warning?) because it definitely doesn’t feel good and I felt dumb for letting it happen.
At the current price this isn’t something most people will do all the time but I could see indulging in the relaxing experience every now and then. Give it a try! Oh, as for the location, it’s behind the Target on Greenbriar Parkway across from Paradox.

I heard of Float First through Groupon and jumped at the opportunity to try this new relaxation experience. The place is small and kind of hard to find. My GPS and Google maps couldn’t locate it exactly but got me close enough that I found it on my own. Once inside you fill out a form, watch an introduction video and then are escorted back to your own private room that contains the flotation pod. The staff makes sure to explain everything to you in full detail before letting you have the room to yourself.
The pod was so freaking cool and there really is so much salt that you float as soon as you get in. If you have any fear of drowning, don’t, because you won’t. You have the options to keep the lights on or off and play the music the entire time if you wish. Time really does pass quickly in the pod and when you are done your body will be so relaxed. After your session there is a shower to clean off the salt residue and a make up station in the back to freshen up.
Overall everything was great and if another groupon comes around I will most definitely be going back.
Tips:
I couldn’t figure out how to change the temperate in my shower and it got pretty hot pretty fast. So make sure you ask.
Make sure you watch the whole video if it is your first time. I arrived for my appointment right on time and missed the beginning of the intro video which means I missed the part about wearing ear plugs in the pod and am still having some weird pain in my ears.

I love relaxing, few things can get me this relax, the music, the cleaness, the service, the logic and science behind how your body reacts to this kind of stimulation is valid and relevant if you want to improve your overall health. Many chronic diseases and ugly moods can be managed if we just give our bodies a break! from toxins, from the rush of every day!!! Highly recommended !

This place is amazing. The staff was amazing and the experience was life changing.