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AMERICAN FORK – It’s a unique way to relieve stress, and you could say it’s all the “rage” across the country. Now, there’s a new “rage room” in Utah County that’s all in the name of fun and therapy.
Nate Stutz owns Phat Axe in American Fork. He opened his new smash room about a month ago, the first of its kind in Utah.
“I wanted to do a smash room because I wanted to do something different,” said Stutz.
It’s a place where you go to pulverize your problems. Basically, you smash a bunch of stuff to help you feel better.
Participants put on protective clothing, gloves, a hard hat and goggles before entering the smash room. They also get to choose between a baseball bat, a sledgehammer, a golf club, an axe handle or a crowbar for their weapon.
Finally, they decide what they’re going to break — anything from glass bottles and plates to old TVs and furniture. Then they go to town.
The three customers we talked to had a great time.
“Every time the bottle would smash and you saw all the million pieces you’re like, ‘Yeah, I did that!’” said Kaleigh Fox.
Participants say smashing things helps them relieve stress and get rid of some pent up anger.
“It brought out some aggression,” said Gina Fondell, "which I suppose is what it’s for.”
“Sometimes it’s fun to be really aggressive and just smash something,” said Will Marriott.
But is it really good for your mental health? An article in Psychology Today says no. It claims you are conditioning yourself to become aggressive the next time your anxiety levels rise.
Stutz disagrees.
“You come in here, you break things, you feel better,” he said. “You leave happy and you think that was a good therapy session.”
Even with differing opinions on how effective rage rooms are as anger management tools, there’s no question in Stutz’s mind, as long as his customers leave smiling, it’s a smashing success.
If you’re interested in checking out the smash room at Phat Axe, click this link for their website: Phataxe.com.
