Everyone goes through periods of time where they feel like screaming or hitting something, and while this is not an enjoyable headspace to be in, there is an enjoyable way to relieve that stress. Whether you need to swing a sledgehammer, smash a TV with a crowbar, or smash a bunch of beer bottles, Lafayette has just the place for you.
Purdue University Student, Kiki Valadez, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
OutRAGE Smash Therapy is a locally owned business that was founded in 2022. Outrage is a place where visitors can let their emotions run high and break things while being in a safe and controlled environment.
You can conveniently book an appointment on the business’s website, and once you sign in and fill out the quick waiver, you are ready to start smashing. Once you are at OutRAGE, they have a lovely team of individuals who help provide you with all the safety gear and instructions you will need while in the rage room. While some people may think of a rage room as a violent place, it is really quite the opposite, especially with all the health and safety measures OutRAGE has in place.
Smash therapy is unique because while it is meant to be a fun thing, it can be quite the workout. I must confess lifting the sledgehammer was one of the hardest things to do, and my arms were sore for days after. However, despite the soreness, the experience is absolutely exhilarating.
Owner Jacob Morgan described the experience in one word: “exciting,” which couldn’t be more accurate. As a college student who desperately needed a break from the stressors of school, smash therapy was one of the most exciting and one-of-a-kind experiences I have ever done.
The business has connections with many of the local bars and businesses to collect beer bottles, TVs, and other breakable items for people to use. OutRAGE also strives to be an environmentally friendly business, and so when the smashing is over, the team recycles what’s left, ensuring that the therapy is as environmentally responsible as it can be.
Guests also have the option to bring in their own items to smash, which can be a good way to get rid of junk around the house, or it can add a personal and sometimes cathartic touch to one’s experience. One of the most memorable examples the owner could recount was when a customer once brought in her wedding dress after a broken engagement.
Once you’re suited up and ready to go, you step into the smash room itself, and the adrenaline kicks in immediately. You’ll be lifting some heavy tools, and once you start swinging, don’t be surprised if you break a sweat, even though the sessions are only 30 minutes.
Although smash therapy is for everyone, on my visit, I noticed a lot of young women participating, and it is a popular group activity as well.
Two customers, Purdue students Holly Gonyer and Catherine Joven, said normally, their go-to stress relief involves yoga or hitting the gym, but they were drawn to OutRAGE for a change of pace. Catherine described the experience as “a little scary, but so fun,” and they also noted how the activity helped them take their minds off academic and personal stress.
Both Holly and Catherine described the workers as super friendly and said the owner was very kind. For them, the positive and welcoming vibe they experienced made the whole experience more pleasant and is one of the reasons they plan on returning in the future.
So whether you’re looking to plan a girls’ night out, a team-building event, a solo session, or are just a college student looking to relieve some anxiety, it’s easy to book a time and tailor the experience to your needs. Bring your own items or choose from what’s provided; either way, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, recharged, and maybe even a little stronger than when you arrived, thanks to that sledgehammer.