Ax Therapy? Find Out Why Ax Throwing Is All the Rage Now

The ax throwing craze is coming for New Jersey. And, just like an ax hurtling toward a target, there’s nothing that can stand in its way. All across the country, ax throwing clubs have been popping up, offering eager sports-enthusiasts the chance to compete with their friends, throwing a real ax at a wooden target. 

But what is it about the activity that has people so entranced? With such a simple premise, how do you account for the mounting popularity of ax throwing? Well, it’s a combination of things: part irreverent fun, part serious competition and part stress therapy. 

Here’s a closer look at this trendy new activity, including where it came from and why it’s popular. 

Humble Beginnings

People throughout history have thrown axes, from the Franks and Vikings, to the Pioneer Era lumberjacks. But no one really thought to make an organized game of it until quite recently – 2006, to be exact. That’s when a group of friends in Toronto, Canada, fresh from a trip to a nearby cottage, thought to take their favorite backwoods pastime and turn it into an indoor game. 

What started in Toronto expanded across Canada and then the US, as those first ax throwers opened facilities in city after city. To get an idea of what one of these places looks like, you can take a look at this page for Batlgrounds.com/axe-throwing-winston-salem and explore the site. 

A Comeback for Axes  

With a bit of backstory out of the way, let’s turn our attention to the original question: why now for ax throwing? In this recent New York Times article, they point to the general resurgence in popularity of the ax as an object. Seen as a bespoke relic of a bygone era, the “craft ax” has reemerged as a popular symbol of rugged craftsmanship and ideals. 

But that’s only one reason ax throwing has become so popular. A much more straightforward reason is, simply, that it’s a lot of fun. And once word spreads of a novel activity that’s fun, everyone wants to try it out. 

Ax Therapy

The other reason ax throwing is so popular now is because it’s proven to be the perfect antidote for the stressful, overwhelmingly computer-centric, modern workplace. 

Here is an activity that’s decidedly un-connected – an activity that’s tactile, primal and old-fashioned. At the end of a tough workday, you can take out your stress on a wooden board, throwing axes until the wood splinters away. It’s a fun gathering place for friends and colleagues (often, the activity is paired with beer and snacks!) that helps you forget about your inbox for a while. Plus, it can be a real confidence booster!

Fun, fashionable and surprisingly therapeutic, it’s easy to see why ax throwing is gaining popularity. From its humble Canadian beginnings to its current status as the country’s new “It” game, ax throwing has attracted followers. And it’s only a matter of time before New Jersey gets in on the craze – are you ready for a little ax therapy?