Whether you want to beat your personal record or just want to tone your muscles, regular workouts can help you reach your goals. But all workouts put strain on your body, which can create aches and pains.
Sore muscles are a sign that you’re building strength, but regular soreness can hurt your progress and even take you out of the gym for a few days.
As an athlete, you know that recovery is just as important as your workout routine. Maybe you’ve tried massage, stretching, foam rolling, or even gone to extremes like ice baths.
These methods can definitely help reduce muscle soreness and boost recovery time. But even then, you might still feel the regular aches and pains that come with pushing your body to its limits.
Have you ever tried floating for muscle recovery? Flotation therapy is gaining in popularity as a way to relax, but it also comes with a slew of physical benefits — including muscle recovery for athletes. In fact, many athletes say that regular floats reduce their soreness and boost their overall performance.
Let’s look at how floatation therapy works for athletes, why it’s so beneficial, and what you can expect during your first float for muscle recovery.
Table of Contents
- How Floatation Therapy Works for Workout Recovery
- The One-Two Punch of Sensory Deprivation and Epsom Salt
- The Benefits of Float Therapy for Muscle Recovery
- What To Expect With Float Therapy for Athletic Recovery
- Athletes Use Our Cutting-Edge Tanks to Recover Muscles
How Floatation Therapy Works for Workout Recovery
Floatation therapy involves immersing yourself in sensory deprivation tanks, which are also called float tanks. Krysus fills its float pods with water that’s heated to body temperature and saturated with hundreds of pounds of Epsom salt. The high concentration of Epsom salt makes the water denser, allowing you to effortlessly float on the surface.
In addition to the magnesium in the Epsom salt, the simple act of near-weightless floating does a lot of good for sore muscles and joints. When you exercise, you create tiny tears in your muscle fibers. This is normal and necessary for muscle growth and repair, but it also causes a lot of pain, especially if you work out regularly.
By relieving pressure on your muscles and joints, floatation therapy increases blood flow to the muscles, which reduces inflammation and promotes healing — naturally.
The One-Two Punch of Sensory Deprivation and Epsom Salt
You can’t beat the peace and quiet of a float, which gives you the time and space to unwind. However, two key components make floating so effective for muscle recovery: sensory deprivation and Epsom salt.
Epsom salt, which is also known as magnesium sulfate, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for aches and pains. Studies show that magnesium in Epsom salt can reduce inflammation and alleviate muscle pain, making it a favorite for both athletes and people with chronic pain.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a key role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It’s also necessary for proper muscle function and energy production. When you soak in an Epsom salt bath, your skin absorbs magnesium, which can help relax your muscles and reduce muscle soreness.
As long as you aren’t sensitive to magnesium, floating in Epsom salt-saturated water for an hour can give your sore muscles a much-needed boost.
Sensory deprivation also plays a role in floating for muscle recovery. The float tank is designed to be completely dark and soundproof, which means you’re completely cut off from external stimuli. This can be a bit unnerving at first, but it’s also what makes floatation therapy so effective. Sensory deprivation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even enhance creativity.
This can be especially beneficial after a workout, when your body is already in a state of heightened stress. Consciously or not, you might tense up hours after a hard workout, and the serenity of a sensory deprivation tank can help your muscles relax even more.
The Benefits of Float Therapy for Muscle Recovery
Float therapy shouldn’t replace post-workout stretching or foam rolling, but it can become a great addition to your existing post-workout routine, especially if you feel sore all the time.
Whether you’re new to working out and hate feeling sore, or you’re an experienced athlete who wants to take things to the next level, float therapy comes with a slew of benefits like:
- Speedier muscle recovery: You’ll probably feel soreness, fatigue, or inflammation after a strenuous workout. Float therapy can help reduce inflammation and promote healing by increasing blood flow to your muscles. The high concentration of Epsom salt in the float tank also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with muscle recovery.
- Reduced stress and anxiety: As an athlete, you might experience a lot of stress and anxiety, whether it’s from competition, training, or your personal life. Float therapy can help reduce stress and anxiety by inducing a state of deep relaxation, which allows your body to release tension. Not only does that improve your sense of well-being, but it also helps you release your muscles for some much-needed rest.
- Improved sleep quality: Getting enough sleep is crucial for athletes to recover and perform at their best. Float therapy can improve sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, and increasing the production of endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help us feel good and sleep better.
- Better mental clarity: As an athlete, you need to stay sharp so you can perform at your best. Float therapy can help improve mental clarity and focus by reducing distractions and allowing your mind to enter a state of deep relaxation. Think of it as a mini vacation from daily stressors.
- Enhanced creativity: Yes, you need to feed your sense of creativity as an athlete. You might find new ways to overcome hurdles in your workout. By allowing your mind to unwind and relax fully, you’ll find that new ideas and ways of thinking come to you more easily.
Overall, float therapy can be a powerful tool for athletes looking to improve their performance, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote overall well-being.
If you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, float therapy can help you recover faster, reduce muscle soreness, and enhance your mental and physical performance.
What To Expect With Float Therapy for Athletic Recovery
If you’re looking for a new way to help your muscles recover after a workout, consider floatation therapy. Some athletes float just once a month for relaxation, while others make floating a weekly part of their routine to stay in fighting shape. Your first float can feel overwhelming, but once you see the benefits of floating for muscle recovery, you’ll want to make floating a regular part of your post-workout ritual.
Before your float, be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine or other stimulants, as well as alcohol. You’ll also want to avoid shaving or waxing right before your float, since the saltwater can irritate your skin.
Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment so your Krysus team can answer questions and prepare you for the float. Our team will take you to a changing room, where we’ll provide a robe and slippers for you to change into. Most people float nude, but you’re free to wear a swimsuit if that would make you more comfortable. From there, you’ll go to your own private room for the float.
When you get into the room, you’ll need to take a quick shower. Krysus will provide a swim cap and float pillows to help you feel more comfortable in the float pod. Next, you’ll enter the tank, which will play soft music. The light and sound in the pod will gradually fade into silence and darkness.
Once you’re in the tank, try to relax and let go of any tension or stress. Focus on your breathing and allow yourself to fully surrender to the experience. Your mind might wander a little, and that’s okay. Similar to meditation, try to gently allow thoughts to pass so you can experience true quiet. The goal is to give your body and mind the chance to fully unwind and recover.
After your float, slowly exit the tank. Krysus will provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and towels for your post-float shower. Be sure to wash yourself thoroughly to remove as much salt water as possible. Many people feel incredibly relaxed and refreshed after their float, so take some time to enjoy the afterglow before getting back to your day. If you want to go straight to sleep after your float, ask a friend or family member to drive you home.
Athletes Use Our Cutting-Edge Tanks To Recover Muscles
Floatation therapy is a safe, natural, and effective way to help your muscles recover after a workout. By immersing yourself in a sensory deprivation tank filled with Epsom salt, you can reduce inflammation, promote healing, and relax your mind and body.
Whether you’re a professional athlete or you just want to work on your fitness goals, floatation therapy can help you recover faster, reduce muscle soreness, and improve your overall well-being.
But we know that a first-time float can feel intimidating. At Krysus HP, our friendly staff is here to answer questions and help you every step of the way. Your journey is our journey, and we’re here to support you throughout the float experience.
Why not give floatation therapy a try and see the benefits for yourself?
