WESTBROOK — Ax throwing is a sport no longer reserved for just lumberjacks.

Maine Warrior Gym at 865 Spring St. is making the activity a possibility for just about anyone. The Axe Pit, New England’s first ax-throwing range, will be opening March 18.

“I think it’s just one of those things,” Maine Warrior Gym co-owner Brandon Rubenstein said. “It’s kind of cool to throw an ax.”

The other co-owner, Tim Johnson, thought of the idea after he saw ax-throwing events in Canada. The sport is more popular there, Rubenstein said, but is beginning to gain traction in the U.S. While there are many ax-throwing events and competitions across the country, there are very few ranges where people can practice.

“It’s unique enough where you can’t just go anywhere and try it,” Rubenstein said.

Maine Warrior Gym, which opened in October 2015, had an extra room that wasn’t being used and has now been transformed into an ax-throwing range. There is only one lane, which up to six people can use at a time.

Groups or individuals must reserve a one-hour slot at the range ahead of time. It costs $25 to reserve and then $10 per person. People must be 18 or older to participate.

One person on staff at Maine Warrior Gym has been trained in ax throwing, and three outside trainers have been hired as well so that there is always a professional working in the range. Rubenstein said this is so people can learn how to properly throw an ax and so the range can be as safe as possible.

“You’ve got a weapon, it’s pretty sharp, but in a controlled environment it takes away the danger,” he said.

Rubenstein said the hope is that people will find ax throwing to be a fun thing to do as a group.

“Everyone likes bowling and mini golf and those types of group activities, and this is sort of like that,” he said.

The target at the end of the range is designed like a dart board and people will keep track of their scores after each throw. While the game may get competitive, Rubenstein said most people will be equally proficient in ax throwing.

“Unlike other sports, everyone is new at this,” he said. “It sort of evens the playing field.”

Rubenstein said he and Johnson figured that if anyone has thrown an ax before, it was probably in their backyard. He said he hopes people are drawn to The Axe Pit because of the Maine vibe it has.

“It’s a cool thing in such an outdoor space like Maine,” he said. “When we first opened, our plan was to capitalize on the environment of Maine.”

Maine Warrior Gym has an indoor obstacle course similar to what is used in the competition American Ninja Warrior. There are many other offerings at the gym, including martial arts, weight training, boot camp classes, and even ballroom dancing.

“At the Maine Warrior Gym we’re always open to new things,” Rubenstein said. “We have a little bit of everything. No matter who comes, there’s usually something for everyone.”

Ax throwing is hopefully another part of that philosophy, Rubenstein said, especially because it’s so unexpected.

“People think, ‘When will I have the chance to do this?'” he said. “Now they can.”

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

Westbrook’s Maine Warrior Gym, co-owned by Brandon Rubenstein, will be opening New England’s first ax-throwing range on March 18.

The Axe Pit will allow people to throw axes at a target within a contained range, as demonstrated by Maine Warrior Gym co-owner Brandon Rubenstein.