Sensory Deprivation Tank in Altrincham

What is a Sensory Deprivation Tank?

Floatation therapy, offered at Zero Gravity Float Spa in Altrincham, Manchester, is an innovative approach to deep relaxation. This method involves lying quietly in a sensory deprivation tank filled with a warm solution of Epsom salt for an hour or more. The sensory deprivation tank reduces sensory input, which helps your mind settle into a deeply relaxed, meditative state. Many describe this experience as floating through outer space.

Many people find floating brings deep relaxation and calm, eases stress and muscle tension, and leaves them feeling clear-headed and creative.

The Science Behind Floating

Research suggests floating may help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, lift your mood and aid muscle recovery.

We’ve created a dedicated page that explores each of these benefits in depth. It summarises over 40 years of scientific research, including clinical trials and reviews, and explains what each study found, how many people took part, and where the evidence is still limited. Every study is linked, so you can read the original research for yourself.

Your First Time Float Checklist

Before you arrive

Avoid shaving for 24 hours beforehand
Avoid caffeine (for at least a couple of hours before)
Aim to have a light meal 60-90 minutes beforehand
You don’t need to bring anything – we supply towels, bodywash/shampoo/conditioner and hair dryers
You don’t need to wear anything during your float – individual rooms allow you to float naked and remove that last bit of sensory input
Aim to arrive around 10 minutes before your appointment (the closest car park is the ice rink, WA15 8EW)

Once you get here

Check in at reception
Change into a pair of our slippers
One of our friendly staff will take all first timers through to a room for a 5 minute explanation
Once we leave you to it, put your complimentary earplugs in
Have shower before getting in (avoid conditioner during this shower)
Apply our complimentary vaseline to any freshly shaved skin or fresh cuts/grazes
Carefully step into the tank and lie down with your head to the near (lid) end, and your feet to the back end
There will be some music for the first 10-minutes to get you into a nice relaxed state of mind
At any time you can turn your lights off (two presses of the left-hand switch), and/or pull the lid closed to help remove any external stimuli
Try starting with the included float pillow to allow you to get used to relaxing your head back into the water, and then remove this once you feel completely physically relaxed
Try not to get any of the salt water into your eyes, but if it does happen there is a fresh water spray and facecloth hanging up inside the tank.

After your float

The music will come back on in the last 5 minutes, and at the end of that the tank lights will turn back on to let you know the session has finished
Make sure you don’t try and move too fast – go at your own pace as you might be disorientated as you leave the tank
Make sure to have a shower afterwards (you can use conditioner now), and you can make use of our hair drying room afterwards if you want
Once you get back to reception, feel free to help yourself to a glass of cool water or a complimentary herbal tea before you leave
Try to relax for the rest of the day -you can accidentally dispel that post float glow if you try to rush back into your normal hustle and bustle – if you get it right you’ll be able to hold onto that relaxed feeling at least till the end of the day (if not longer) and experience a better night’s sleep!

If you would like a more in depth explanation, feel free to check out our first time float guide:

First Time Float Guide

A Word on Music

We recommend the majority of our customers float with silence throughout, as it allows your mind to more completely switch off. It’s quite normal to take the first 10-15 minutes fully relaxing into your float if you’re new to it, but once you get to that state where you’re not sure if you’re awake or asleep the time passes really quickly!

Having said this, we do recognise that silence may not be for everyone, so we have a range of music options we can play throughout your float. Typically the people that benefit most from music throughout are people with Tinnitus, people that normally fall asleep (or meditate) with music on, or people with super active minds that would otherwise really struggle to switch off.

PLEASE NOTE – music throughout is best for people who would really struggle switch off in silence (i.e. people with Tinnitus, people that need sound to fall asleep, or people with very busy minds).

Ocean Waves

Drift off to the gentle sound of ocean waves. Best for people that have Tinnitus or just need a slight distraction for the mind at the start of a session.

Gong Bath

Similar to sound baths, our Gong Bath track allows you to time your breathing to help quiet your mind. Best for people just need a slight distraction for the mind at the start of a session, but prefer something a bit more musical than waves.

Guided Imagery

Picture yourself travelling to, and then exploring a desert island with our Guided Imagery track. This track uses soundscapes to help you paint a mental picture of what you’re hearing to help focus your mind to stop those random thoughts from occurring and distracting you

Guided Meditation

Specially created by local mindfulness coach Christine Hope (feel free to check out her website to see more that she offers), our new Guided Meditation track will help guide you through your float, and is perfect to distract a busy mind.

Meet the i-sopod: our sensory deprivation tanks

Designed and constructed in the UK to deliver the ultimate sensory deprivation experience.

The largest float tanks on the market, measuring 8.5ft by 5.5ft.

500kg of Epsom Salt in 1000 litres of water make floating effortless – feels like being in space!

State of the art such as a 1-micron filter, germicidal UV light, and automatic H2O2 dosing, our tanks provide unparalleled hygiene and safety.

Floatation therapy in Altrincham