AT....LAAAAAAAST.... This is the float spa I've been WISHING would open in Columbus. After years of choosing between an hour-plus drive to Dayton for the place I loved (same place Ebb & Float's owners discovered floating) or the non-tempting local options that popped up (always ended up driving to Dayton), I finally have a shot at making this a regular practice and really feeling the health/wellness benefits add up.
If you're already a fan of flotation, I'm betting you'll LOVE it here. If you're not, please do yourself a favor and read this article (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/a13474/what-its-like-to-float-in-a-sensory-deprivation-tank/), one of endless articles you can Google to make the case for salt. Then check out Ebb & Float's website, THEN finish this review, if you're still not convinced.
PROS:
BEAUTIFUL SPACE - Serene, "comfortably Zen" use of existing downtown building. Think urban warehouse loft as day spa: high ceilings, lots of exposed pipes/beams, huge windows (NOT into your float room, don't worry).
FREE ADJACENT PARKING LOT - 'Nuff said. (Also very transit/foot/bike/scooter-convenient if you live in or near downtown.)
VARIETY OF FLOATSPACE - traditional tanks, larger sauna-sized cabins (perfect for those intimidated by "climbing into a tank") and - for the MOST claustrophobic, or those who just have mobility issues - a large private "float pool" with high ceilings. Each suite includes a shower; pool room's shower is ADA-accessible.
VARIETY OF ACTIVITY - besides floating, they have massage chairs (!!!!!) and infrared saunas. Never been a sauna person, but it sounds like infrared is different from just heat, so I'm planning to give it a try. They were just finishing up what looks like a beautiful little meditation studio, and plan to host guided meditation soon.
SMART, THOUGHTFUL TOUCHES - It's pretty standard to provide various toiletries so you don't need to bring much, but the first-aid skin balm packet was a first, and I REALLY appreciated having it when the saltwater hit a barely-noticed scrape on my arm! Once I rinsed it off and applied the balm, it formed a nice barrier against more salt burn. Earplugs were also great for keeping salt out of my ears, and I LOVED having the "emergency spray bottle" (if you forget and touch your face, or need to) and lighting controls right there in the cabin.
LOVELY OWNERS - Husband and wife own/operate. I met Kim last night, and she really made my first visit a pleasure!
SUGGESTIONS/TIPS:
(I can't even call these "cons" because they're easily solved, and the whole experience was so positive):
TOWELS - E&F provided a perfectly fine bathrobe and bath towel, but if you have long/thick hair, or just want something dry to stand on while you towel off and dress, you may want to bring 1 or 2 small towels with you.
SHOES - You'll want (thinnish) comfy socks in the massage chair and walking around, but wear shoes you can put on/off easily, and consider a pair of flipflops for post-float. Your feet will still be a little damp leaving the floatroom; this way, your toes can airdry while you sit and sip your tea. :)
CLOTHES - Again, you're drying off/getting dressed in a fairly humid space - it's basically a huge walk-in shower - so bring something loose and flowy that won't feel like trying to put on a bathing suit wet (you'll be in loose flowy mood, anyway).
MASSAGE CHAIR - Be prepared to wiggle around a bit finding your "fit" - especially if you're not average height and/or weight - so the massage bits hit you where they're supposed to. In particular, you want your head, forearms and feet to align correctly with the chair (your forearms should be FLAT) so TAKE A MINUTE. It's the difference between "Ouch" and "zzzzzzz....."
LET GO OF ANY EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT IS "SUPPOSED" TO HAPPEN IN THE WATER: I don't have a highly disciplined meditative mind (yet) so I don't worry too much about getting to a "nothingness" state in the tank. What I love is that in warm salty water, where it takes ZERO effort (even less than in a regular swimming pool) to keep your face out of water and your body aloft, you can STRRREEEETCHH and bend in ways you can't anywhere else. If you're already flexible, you could probably tie yourself in a bow in there. So if you can't quite turn yourself into Yoda riding a neon tortoise through outer space, just forget about "doing it right" (there IS no right) and enjoy the water: glide around, stretch out every cramped kinked muscle, and enjoy being a noodle.
BOTTOM LINE:
Floating is (rightfully) getting more popular, so more float spas will appear, but this is the first place I've found in Columbus offering the VALUE (in terms of affordability AND what your money buys) to where you feel like they BELIEVE in it and want to make it an accessible part of wellness... as normal and sensible as working out. I'm looking forward to spending plenty of time there. read more