Floatation therapy has been shown to offer numerous benefits for physical and mental health, such as reducing stress, pain, and anxiety, as well as helping improve the quality of life for people with a number of chronic conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s, arthritis, and PTSD, to name a few. It has also been shown to improve sleep, concentration, mood, and creativity.
The best description of what floating is like is “an hour in a float tank, and you come out feeling as though you have had the best 10 hours of your life.”
However, what makes float therapy a good business idea? How does it compare to other wellness services such as massage, spa, or cryotherapy? In this article, we aim to explore some of the advantages of installing a float tank in your spa or starting a float centre business.
The information provided is based on over 20 years in the industry and the experience of some successful float centre owners, some of whom use Exo float tanks, one of the market leaders in the industry.
High-margin revenues per session
One of the main benefits of operating float tanks is that the revenues generate significant margins. Float sessions typically cost between £40 and £120 in the UK and between $45 and $150 in the US.
One member of staff can comfortably operate up to three float tanks on their own. Depending on the equipment, the time required to prepare the room between clients can be as short as a few minutes. This allows for an increased number of sessions in a day.
The daily costs are low, and the life of most float tanks, especially float pods, can be many years.
Almost all users who try floating for the first time really enjoy the experience, which encourages booking repeat sessions. It is not unknown for facilities to achieve significant customer numbers just through word of mouth.
Lower staffing requirements
Float tanks range from basic pods for occasional home use to high-tech, internet-aware units that can be operated reliably in a commercial setting by staff without requiring more than very basic training.
As previously mentioned, one member of staff can operate a number of float tanks simultaneously. Maintenance is just a matter of monitoring solution levels and changing things like filters when required. In most float tanks, this is a relatively simple process, and some of the more advanced systems will send alerts to the reception desk when such actions are required.
This means that often, Spas can add float pods to their facilities without increasing staffing levels. Unlike many traditional health and wellness facilities, it is not necessary to employ trained professionals such as massage therapists or spa technicians to operate a fitness centre.
High ROI and Sustainability
It is not uncommon for float centres or Spas to recover all their initial set-up costs within 12 to 18 months. As with most businesses, this one depends on active marketing so that potential clients know that a new therapy is being offered.
Social media and technology make such an exercise significantly easier than in the past, and the impact of COVID on public awareness of the impact of our mental health on both our general wellbeing as well as our physical health means that there is a hunger for new therapies that help with this, especially those that do not require training or long-term practise for the user to benefit. Float therapy is such an experience.
The energy requirements are low, and there are no waste products from the therapy. The materials that are used in the solutions, etc., are totally natural and do not impact the environment.
Environmentally friendly materials such as hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes into oxygen and water, are commonly used for disinfection, and photocatalytic UV is used to sterilise the solution.
Reasonable initial investment
The initial investment required for a floatation tank depends on the brand, model, size, and features you choose. As with many significant purchases, it is important that the total costs are considered, not just the initial capital outlay.
Many units on the market may appear lower in cost, but if reliability, support, and running costs are taken into account, they can quickly prove more expensive than more expensive units specifically designed for reliable commercial use.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to start a float centre business with exo float tanks, please visit their website or contact them for more information. They will be happy to assist you with any questions or queries you might have.
Further Information
Many manufacturers offer advice and guidance not only on the operation of the float tanks but also as to the design of the float rooms, the facilities required, ventilation, sound production, etc. Contact us to if we can help or be of assistance.