WHY ATHLETES FLOAT

Jax-Zen Healing Arts Center
Aug 11, 2025
3 min read

This Float Fact was originally published in October, 2022 and has been lovingly updated to reflect both the science and the real-life stories of how floating supports physical recovery, mental clarity, and peak performance.

From weekend runners to world champions, athletes across disciplines are finding their way into the float tank. While some of the biggest names in sports — from NFL quarterbacks to Olympic gold medalists — have been open about using floatation therapy, you don’t need to be a professional to experience the same benefits.

From Training to Recovery

In 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became Super Bowl champs with Tom Brady at the helm — and yes, Brady incorporates floating into his training regimen. The year before, the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated their first title in 50 years, also with regular floats on their schedule.

The Los Angeles Dodgers floated during their dramatic 2018 season. NBA star Steph Curry, NFL defensive powerhouse JJ Watt, several USA Olympic teams, and UFC fighter Pat Healy all use floating to recover faster and sharpen their mental game.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes are also embracing floatation as a recovery tool — using it to relieve muscle fatigue, reduce inflammation, and clear mental clutter between fights. Recent accounts describe how fighters integrate floats into their training regimens to prepare both body and mind for high-intensity competition.

This isn’t new — the Dallas Cowboys famously used float tanks in the 1980s. For decades, athletes have relied on floating as part of their performance toolkit.

The Inner Game: Visualization & Focus

Floating offers something rare in sports: a completely distraction-free environment. Suspended in skin-temperature Epsom salt water, your body feels weightless, and your senses get a break from light, sound, and pressure.

This quiet is perfect for mental rehearsal — visualizing plays, refining form, and imagining success. Carl Lewis used float sessions before the 1984 Olympics to picture winning gold in the long jump… and then he did exactly that. Steph Curry has spoken about using tank time to imagine hitting game-winning three-pointers under pressure — mental reps that translate to the court, field, or ring.

Recovery: What the Research Says

Studies show floating can:

Reduce perceived muscle soreness
Improve pain thresholds
Shorten recovery time between workouts or events
Enhance sleep quality
Decrease physical fatigue

The high concentration of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) in the water naturally soothes sore muscles, reduces inflammation, and supports better circulation — all key for injury prevention and faster healing.

Not Just for the Pros

You don’t have to be in the NFL, NBA, or MMA to benefit from these effects. Whether you run, lift, swim, cycle, play tennis, or enjoy weekend hikes, your body works hard — and recovery matters.

Floating before an event can help you:

Visualize success
Settle nerves
Boost focus and confidence

Floating after an event can help you:

Relieve soreness
Speed up muscle recovery
Process and reflect on your performance

Even a single float session can provide both physical and mental benefits without any side effects — just rest, relief, and readiness for what’s next.

💦 Ready to give your body and mind the same edge athletes around the world use? Book your float here or call us at 601-691-1697.

Steph Curry speaks to the impact of floating on his game