'Smash therapy' company plans Sarasota, St. Pete locations

For everyone gripping their steering wheel in bumper-to-bumper traffic or cringing at the sensation of hot breath on the back of their neck while standing in a crowded line, there is finally a place to channel all of the energy that stays pent up in order to function in society. 

iSmash, a “rage room” company offering what's known as smash therapy to patrons in Brandon, just outside of Tampa, announced that it’s expanding to four additional locations in Sarasota, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel and St. Petersburg.

At iSmash, individuals or groups of customers are able to purchase packages ranging from 20 to 50 minutes and can smash everything from a glass dish to a used car with a small arsenal of instruments including baseball bats, sledgehammers and crowbars. Smashers can customize their experience with personal music playlists and permission to bring objects from home. Each session takes place in a contained room with proper safety equipment.

The original iSmash was founded in Rochester, New York, in 2018 and began franchising in 2021. Dave Segui, Robert Knapp, Scott Laviano and Silvio Freire are the franchisees of the Brandon location spearheading the Florida expansion.

"iSmash has set the standard for rage rooms in the industry," says Robert Knapp in a released statement. "Our Tampa location's success is a testament to the brand's quality and the growing demand for innovative and engaging recreational activities."

iSmash has locations across the U.S. and is the largest rage room franchise in the country. For those with an active but less destructive lean, iSmash also offers paint splatter sessions and axe throwing on site.