Float therapy: experience weightless relaxation & sensory deprivation
Float therapy — also called sensory deprivation therapy or floatation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) — gives your body and mind a complete break from the outside world. At Reset Wellness Studio, Madison's dedicated float facility, our three private float suites are designed for one thing: total disconnection. No light, no sound, no gravity pulling on your joints. Just you, 1,000+ pounds of Epsom salt, and the deepest rest you've had in years.
The Epsom salt in the chamber (over 1,000 pounds) allows your body to float effortlessly, taking pressure off of muscles, bones and joints. After a while the boundaries between you and the water seem to dissolve. With no body to attend to, the mind is free to explore and expand, so that unparalleled relaxation and healing are possible.
What is Float Therapy?
Floating works by eliminating the external stimuli your nervous system is constantly processing — light, sound, temperature differences, and the pull of gravity. Inside our sensory deprivation tanks, the water is heated to skin temperature and saturated with Epsom salt, allowing your body to float effortlessly on the surface. After a few minutes, the boundary between your body and the water begins to dissolve. With nothing to process, your brain naturally drops into a deep theta wave state — the same state reached in deep meditation — bringing with it profound relaxation, mental clarity, and physical recovery.
Sensory Deprivation Tank — Madison, WI
Our float chambers are full-size sensory deprivation tanks — not pods or smaller alternatives. Each of our three suites is completely private, with its own shower, dressing area, and Evolution filtration system that recirculates the water a minimum of three times between each client. If you've been searching for a sensory deprivation tank in Madison, Reset Wellness Studio is the only dedicated float facility in the area with three private suites available seven days a week. Whether you're a first-time floater or a regular, you'll always have a clean, private, unhurried space to decompress.
Who Floats at Reset?
Float therapy in Madison draws a wide range of people — from athletes using it for muscle recovery and visualization, to professionals managing chronic stress, to anyone simply looking for a mental reset. Our clients include marathon runners recovering after long training weeks, new parents catching up on sleep, and people managing anxiety or chronic pain. You don't need a reason to float. You just need an hour.
Why float regularly?
Deep relaxation
Life in the modern world puts us into such a state of chronic tension and stress that we may not even know what true relaxation really feels like.
The weightless tranquility of the float chamber provides a unique opportunity to screen out external stimuli and allow you to shift your mind and body into peaceful and deeply relaxed state, unlike any you have experienced!
Pain relief
Gravity causes thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch to be exerted on our bodies, which can lead to stress, tension, pain and structural problems.
The buoyancy experienced in the float chamber allows each part of the body to be totally supported, every muscle and joint to relax completely and blood to circulate more freely.
Reduce stress and anxiety
Floating provides powerful and almost instant relief from stress. You will find it nearly impossible to maintain a high stress level with the consistent use of floating.
Studies have shown that floating is an effective treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression and anxiety and can be used in conjunction with psychological therapy.
Enhance sleep quality
Many people have trouble falling asleep, including those suffering from insomnia, because their brain has trouble downshifting from Alpha to Theta waves – the gateway to sleep.
By floating, the brain naturally drops into the Theta state, making it easier to make the transition to Delta waves required for REM sleep. For those suffering from jet lag, floating can help reset your sleep cycle and relieve aches and pains from flying, making sleeping on your next flight easier.
Improve athletic performance
Athletes use floating to enhance their performance and speed recovery from injuries. In this nearly zero-gravity environment, blood and lymph circulate more freely and efficiently to carry away lactic acid and heal damaged tissues faster.
Injuries have been shown to heal up to twice as fast while floating. Visualization techniques can be used to prepare the mind and body for a workout or competition.
Creative and mental clarity
Floating has been shown to integrate and balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain so the brain functions more efficiently, allowing for enhanced problem solving and leaps in creativity.
Floating also leads to an increase in the generation of low frequency theta waves by the brain. Theta waves are associated with vivid imagery, creative ideas, ‘a-ha’ moments and states of elevated consciousness.
Float therapy FAQs
The high salt content of the water, along with a very small amount of disinfectant, protects the chambers environment from harmful bacteria. Our Evolution filtration system completely recirculates the water a minimum of 3 times between each client (compared to swimming pool water, which is typically turned over once per day). The water passes through a 1 micron filter and is treated with ozone and UV light. In addition, clients are required to shower before and after their session. This ensures that the sensory deprivation float tank is crystal clear and clean for every client, every time.
You are in control of your float at all times. You are welcome to float with the chamber door/lid open and the lights on and still gain benefits. You can enter and exit the chamber during the float at any time. It is important to use the float chamber in a way that is most beneficial for you.
We have an ADA-compliant float suite with an accessible shower. The chambers have a widened front area that can be used to sit on and pivot into the chamber; however, you must be able to transfer safely in and out. We are happy to do whatever we can to accommodate your needs. Please call if you have questions.
Yes. Pregnant women find the weightless environment of the float chamber to be a tremendous relief for the body. We recommend consulting your healthcare practitioner if you have any concerns.
The water in the float chamber will come up past your ears. We recommend using earplugs, which are provided at the studio. We also provide Q-tips in case you get any water into your ears.
Only one person is allowed per float chamber. Floating is very personal, and having another person there takes away from the experience. You can definitely bring a friend and book appointments at the same time!
Float Therapy Near You — Madison's West Side
Reset Wellness Studio is located at 326 Junction Rd on Madison's west side, convenient to Middleton, Fitchburg, Verona, and the greater Madison area. Float sessions run 60 minutes and are available Tuesday through Sunday. First-time floaters can book an introductory session for $49 — no commitment required. Questions? Call us at (608) 279-1009 or book directly at resetmadison.com.
