First ever ‘rage room’ set to open in Northeast Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A first is coming to Northeast Florida. It’s called a rage room, and it’s exactly what it sounds like.

It’s loud, fun and definitely a safety hazard, so kids shouldn’t try it at home.

Shawn Miller is opening Just Smash It Rage Room. He says: “It just gets a lot of the frustration out that might have built up, and it’s fun. It’s just all around a fun scenario.”

It’s an exhilarating way to let loose and smash through pretty much anything you want.

Miller explains, “When you come in, you dress up, you pick your tools, you go into a room, we give you a package of stuff to break and you just go crazy.”

Of course, it’s all at your own risk, which is why they make you sign a lengthy waiver before doing it.

“We have medical kits outside of each room just in case,” Miller said.

But this shouldn’t be used as a type of therapy.

Miller says, “We’re strictly entertainment purposes only.”

Clinical psychologist Dr. Lynn Wadelton says people dealing with chronic anger or stress issues shouldn’t use this as therapy. She says there are better ways to cope.

“Exercise as a way, getting support through family and friends and venting and talking through things and problem-solving,” she said.

Smashing instead should be used as a recreational activity.

“If you’re with your girlfriends having a post-divorce party, or are you just lost your job at work and you want to go let off some steam, and you do something like that on a one-time basis,” said Wadelton.

That is exactly Miller is hoping to provide.

“A lot of people that we’ve talked to have done it at other cities, and they’ve been waiting for it to come here, so they’re really, really excited to come in.” ​

To learn more about the Just Smash It Rage Room, click here.

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