The popularity of rage rooms is on the rise, giving people a physical outlet for stress, as ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi reports
The activity that has become all the rage.
Rage rooms have been labelled as an adult playground where people can safely bring their frustrations and destroy objects using tools like hammers and bats.
The idea behind the rooms is to release any negative emotions physically, leading to reduced tension.
A few of the objects you might find in the rooms range from glassware to kitchen appliances, and computer monitors to coffee tables and chairs.
Also known as ‘wreck rooms’ or ‘smash rooms’, customers are given protective gear, including helmets and heavy-duty gloves, in order to have safe fun.
There are over 20 rage rooms in the country; both fixed locations and pop-up events happen throughout the year.
ITV News found prices of rage rooms from £27 to £200 for half an hour, depending on the number of participants and items available to smash.
Mel Rafferty is a regular customer at Smash It Rage Room London.
She told ITV News the reason for her frequent attendance: “I enjoy coming down here on the odd once a month. Just to let out daily stress that happens cause obviously it all piles up eventually.”
After grabbing a wrench and smashing a few glasses and teapots, Mel said, “It felt fantastic.”
“It’s a massive breath, massive weight off my shoulders,” she added.
Amelia Smewing and Darren Tofts run Smash It Rage Room in London and say the rooms are welcome to everyone from as young as 12 years old.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ms Smewing told ITV News: “It’s not just about rage, it’s about release.
“People are being referred to us by GPs, by psychiatrists, and also from charities.
“We work with many, many charities. Everybody from sex therapists to charities who get children back with their dads.”
The inspiration behind Ms Smewing and Mr Tofts’ rage room came from a personal place.
Ms Smewing explained that the idea was born from her son’s experience with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
Facing long NHS waiting lists for support, she and her partner began looking for ways they could help from home.
She said they encouraged him to express what he was feeling by writing it down on a plate before smashing it in the garden.
After opening the rage room, Ms Smewing said her son later visited the space with his cousin. “The pair had a great time in there. It really did help him,” she said.
To understand the benefits of rage rooms, ITV News spoke with psychotherapist Jennifer Cox, who co-hosts the podcast Women Are Mad.
She explained that feelings of rage often act as a signal that something in a person’s life needs to change and should not be ignored.
Ms Cox said: “Rage is telling us that something needs to change in our lives.
“We need to get much much better at listening to those feelings.”
She added that activities such as rage rooms, which release built-up energy, can help people regulate their emotions.
Some mental health professionals caution that this does nothing to process difficult emotions, and it may even encourage rage in everyday life.
Ms Smewing says that if people are unsure whether an experience like a rage room is right for them, they should speak to a health professional and seek professional advice.
Top tips for best rage room fun:
- Check the safety rules – Make sure protective gear is provided.
- Wear suitable shoes – You may be treading on shattered fragments.
- Insurance – Always check what third party insurance a rage room company has.
- Seek advice if unsure – If you have concerns about whether a rage room is for you, consider speaking to a health professional.
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