Better Being Float Center

The skinny: I'm surprised this float center has almost a 5 rating, it isn't nearly as nice as A Place to Float downtown although it is much more convenient if you're on the north side.

At BBFC:
*a few uncomfortable looking chairs near the front door vs a large relaxing lounge with cushy sofas and low lighting.
*water dispenser vs citrus infused water dispenser.
*less spacious rooms
*rooms just aren't as nicely decorated/ finished
*2 plain Jane bathrooms with hair dryer and a few other items in a basket on the toilet tank vs a large dressing room with a large mirror, hair dryer and stools.
*One of the bathrooms had the toilet running and it wouldn't flush plus the hand dryer didn't work.
*I could be wrong about this but the doesn't seem to be as much epsom salt in the water. I found it much easier to sit in the tub and it wasn't as slippery. That could be a plus but I prefer lots of salt for health reasons.

Both charge $45 for a first float but you get 90 minutes at BBFC, only 60 at APLF. You pay a one time $15 membership fee at APTF, none at BBFC. One float costs $59 at APTF, $65 at BBFC. Discounts for multiple floats, difficult to compare.

For me,, BBFC has a more convenient location. Both places have great staff, towel and hair dryer provided. private in room shower with soap/shampoo/conditioner and convenient parking. A Place to Float is just... nicer.

Consider bringing your own: bathing suit, deodorant, brush, curling iron etc. All personal preferences of course.

I got my husband a float for his birthday and decided to treat myself to one too. The new location in Carmel was a close, convenient option for us. This was our first time, and Jessica was very helpful in explaining what to expect to me when I called to book as well as when we arrived. We chose the float pods, but they do have open tanks if you're worried about feeling claustrophobic. I did have a moment of panic when I opened my eyes at one point because it was complete blackness, but I focused on my breathing and relaxed into it. You can opt to leave the light on if you like as well.

Tidbits-
*Don't wear lotion, perfume, makeup, etc if you can help it. You have to shower off before getting in anyway.
*You can doc your phone in an aux cord and play music if you like. Personal preference!
*I was surprised at the quality of the available shampoo/conditioner after. I expected stringy hotel shampoo hair, but I'm feeling quite soft! Could it be all the salt? Idk.
*I was a little worried about being spooked when the lights and jets came back on, but it was a gentle nudge to come back to reality!
*Currently, the do not have signage on their store front, so we passed it at first.
*Arrive ~10 min early for first float to sign waiver and get the tutorial.

Overall, great experience! Good for just relaxation, general unplugging or trying to hone your meditation skills. I am considering a monthly float (which offers a discounted price) in the future.

Staff was friendly, courteous, and welcoming. We were made to feel very comfortable upon reception.

My husband and I both felt like we had an exceptional experience, but your first float takes some getting used to. Just don't give up.

The head/neck pillow helped both of us really relax our necks. I eventually floated out of mine without realizing it, but he used his for the duration.

I clearly fell asleep because the jets came on to alert me and it startled me a bit. Not for any reason other than I had only felt like I was in there for a few minutes!

We both talked about how we spent some time really stretching and taking advantage of the weightlessness.

The rooms are clean and comfortable. We did open float rooms because I lean towards a lil claustrophobia. After viewing the float pods, I might try it, but I wouldn't close it.

Don't forget to put the ear plugs in.

Ask for extra towels.

... and seriously, just relax.

I really enjoy coming here. The price is affordable. The float rooms with their own private showers and provided shampoo/conditioner/body wash are great. Everything you might need before/after the float is provided - 2 types of ear plugs, petroleum jelly, wash cloth, towel, etc. The lighting is very calming and once in there it's easy to start to feel relaxed before getting in the pod.

The pods themselves are well set up and maintained too. There's a towel for your face, a foam ring to help hold your head up to prevent neck strain, and a spray bottle to get salt water off of our face. You can listen to music with a cord that has a headphone jack. If you want to listen with you want to listen to music with a device that uses a proprietary jack for audio out instead of a standard headphone jack, bring your adapter instead of writing a bad review.

The jet in the tank goes off and the light turns on after 90 minutes so you know your float is done, and you're provided time to shower off and change without being rushed. It's clear that the whole experience is set up to be as relaxing and stress free as possible.

I'm writing this review as someone who does not necessarily feel safe floating in an ocean/pool and who also gets a tad claustrophobic on occasion. I was intrigued by BBFC because float therapy had been something my husband was looking into and he said I should try it. I thought, "I don't think I'll enjoy this."

I was wrong.

Upon entering, you have to sign a waiver and then they go over all the do's/don'ts before showing you a room. They let you know what every button is for and what you should expect once you close the float pod. There is a private in-room shower stocked full of everything you need to wipe away the day (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel) and they provide ear buds so that the salt/water doesn't get in your ear while you're trying to relax. They have a plug on the side of the wall that connects to the pod so that you can load your own playlist from your phone for ample relaxation (you set your own volume from your device) or you don't have to use music at all if you'd like.

My float experience can be broken out into 3 levels:
1.) Awareness - As soon as you get in, you immediately acclimate to the water (the water is body temperature) and begin your float time. It's such a different sensation that it took me a good 5-10 minutes to get used to my surroundings. I was breathing a bit heavy because I had opened my eyes and all I saw was black...nothing. It's a bit overwhelming at first but then you calm yourself with deep breaths and try to focus on relaxing.
2.) Freebird - After 10 minutes, for me, I was having fun. I was floating around the pod, tenderly bumping up against the sides and just enjoying the weightlessness. I was using my hands to touch the sides to see where I was in the pod and pushing away gently to go to the other side. I figured there was no chance I was going to be able to just lay there without moving around a bit and I was enjoying it so much that I began to think about how I was going to review it (haha!)
3.) Nothingness - After 10 minutes of the 'Freebird' level for me, I was completely relaxed and just a puddle of blah. My mind was clear, my breathing slowed, and I drifted away. There were moments that I didn't even feel like I was in water. I don't remember falling asleep, but I guess I did because the time was up and my 90 minutes were over already.

After your time is up, you get out of the pod and head to the shower once more. Washing away all the salt that is on your skin (you don't realize that the salt is even on you when you're in there). They have towels, Qtips, and everything you need to feel comfortable. You get dressed and then head out. Off to the side of the lobby area, they have hot tea or water and a relaxing seating area with a full size couch to relax while you sip on your tea. You can take as much time as you want.

Tips:
-Ladies, let your hair down...I felt more relaxed without a ponytail
-You can use the float pod wearing a swimsuit, nothing at all, or just swimsuit bottoms...whatever is most comfortable and freeing for you
-The ear plugs they provide for you are best to put in when ears are dry, so put those puppies in before your shower
-They provide a headrest that floats inside the pod...I used this the whole time because it was more comfortable for me
-Once your session is over, a quiet water jet will start up in the back of your pod and the light inside the pod will turn on - it's very subtle but after 90 minutes of complete darkness, it may seem a bit abrupt

My husband and I loved it so much that we're going back again before the holidays. Float the stress away!

What a great way to relax and destress. It does take some getting used to but once you do you can literally fall asleep floating in water. You would think you would be cold but the temperature is perfect. It is something one needs to try at least once.

I am glad I tried this but probably won't do it again. I did a 90 minute float. The person working there was very helpful in explaining the process. Each person gets their own room which has both a small shower area and the float tank unit in it. They have you take a quick shower first, just to get any oil and lotions off your body. Then you turn out the light over the shower and get in the tank. I forgot to turn off the light so I had to climb back out of the tank to do so. The tank is not the easiest thing to get in and out of either since you body wants to float on the salt water.

Even with the light over the shower off, there is still some light in the room, because the float tank also has a soft light that gradually changes colors. You have the option of either leaving it on the whole time or turning it off for a completely dark experiences. I started with the light on but found it too distracting so I turned it off after a little while.

They also have an option available for you to be able to listen to music while you float. I didn't do that because I thought it defeated part of the purpose of just being sill and clearing your mind.

I am not really claustrophobic, so at first I shut the cover of the tank, but within a minute or so, I started getting too hot, so I opened it again. It was much better with the tank open and still almost completely dark in the room.

They place a towel and a spray bottle of tap water on the shelf inside the tank so that you can use it if you need it during your float. I used both because while getting in and out and back in again to turn off the light to the shower area, I ended up getting some salt water in my eye.

As far as the floating experience, it wasn't bad, but two things were issues for me: 1. I did not like the feeling of the dried salt on my body during the float for the parts of my body that were above the water. 2. My arms seemed to float higher than the rest of my body which was a bit uncomfortable over the duration of the float.

90 minutes was a long time to just do nothing but float, but it also takes your mind some time to settle down. Somewhere, probably about 1/2 way through I started to wonder if my time was about up and would have been OK if it was. But then I settled in a bit and was even a bit surprised when the time was actually up. One thought I had though during my 90 minute float, is that it seemed a bit ironic that I was paying money to force myself to just be still and relax which is something I should be able to do for free - maybe not with the floating - but still. I know, I know - floating in the salt water has additional benefits for the body as well. But in this go-go-go world we live in, if these places do nothing else but remind us that we need to be still every now and then, they have a purpose here.

My experience here was a bit rough. To start, the decor/atmosphere is very basic and "budget friendly." I definitely did not feel like I was walking into a high quality spa or relaxation center. The instructions given were fine-I was disappointed that the headphone jack for playing music in the pod was not the right one for my iPhone, so my floating playlist did not get put to good use. My major complaint was that I started my float and THERE WAS HAIR IN MY POD! Long, brown hair in a whole handful! (I have short, blond hair.) I was grossed out and put the wad of hair aside and tried to relax again and found MORE HAIR! I got out of the tub, wrapped myself in a towel, and stuck my head out of the room to tell the attendant (there was no call button in the room, which would have been very helpful!). I thought she might move me to a different pod or apologize or something, but she just said "That happens and we skim out the hair every night, but sometimes it leaves the filter and I don't get back to clean by the filter in between each person." She skimmed the water for a minute and told me it was fine. Against my better judgment, I finished my float, but I was still a bit disgusted. And then when getting out of the pod, there was no bath mat! I had wet footprints all over the floor, which only got worse after taking the rinse shower. This seems like a safety hazard! It was hard to dry off and get dressed with a wet floor. I was not impressed with my experience here and will not be returning.

What a unique experience! My sister told me that she went and it helped with her back pain. I booked an appointment online for the same day. The spa was very clean and peaceful. The float pod was so neat. The way the water makes you feel takes all pressure off your body. It makes you feel weightless. The temperature matches your body temperature which felt nice but I feel like it would feel better if it was slightly warmer. They do provide a shower, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, towels and ear plugs.

So thankful to have float centers back in Indiana! This one is clean, modern, and even has 2 open flotation pools (individual & private) for anyone with claustrophobia.
I'm a veteran floater & grateful to be back in the salt!