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Smart Hangboard Alternative: How Entralpi Compares
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While Smartboard is built for dedicated home gyms, Entralpi is a portable floor plate built for climbers who want scientifically validated smart analytics on any existing hangboard. It decouples the sensors from the wood, letting you test on unlimited grip types at a fraction of the cost.
At a Glance: The Core Differences
| Feature | Entralpi | Fixed Smart Boards |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Portable Ground Plate | Heavy Wall-Mounted Board |
| Installation Required? | None (Drop & Pull) | Yes (Wall studs & drilling) |
| Works with ANY Hangboard? | Yes | No (Proprietary) |
| Travel Friendly? | Yes (Fits in backpack) | No |
| Estimated Cost | 185 CAD$ | 1060 - 4200 CAD$ |
| Automated Weakness Diagnostics? | Yes | Yes |
Battle 1
Do I need to drill into my wall to install it?
- The Problem:
- The Smartboard needs to be precisely installed and requires a dedicated power source. You must find structural wall studs, drill holes, and commit to a permanent location. If you travel or go to the gym, you can't take it with you.
- The Entralpi Solution:
- Entralpi requires zero installation. You just drop it on the floor beneath a door-frame pull-up bar or your gym's existing hangboard. When you're done, it slips right into your backpack.
Battle 2
Is it modular, and can I upgrade my grip shapes?
- The Problem:
- If you want to upgrade your smart hangboard's grip shapes in the future, you often have to buy an entirely new, expensive unit.
- The Entralpi Solution:
- With Entralpi, the sensor is decoupled from the grip. You can buy a cheap $50 wooden hangboard today, and upgrade to a different board tomorrow. Entralpi works perfectly with all of them.
Battle 3
Do I need a membership to access my training data?
- The Problem:
- To use the Smartboard app, you must provide your personal information, and access to features requires a membership. The training options available within their app are also quite limited.
- The Entralpi Solution:
- The Entralpi app is completely free to use with no hidden subscription fees. You don't have to surrender your personal data, and you get access to fully customizable training plans and protocols.
Who Should Buy Which?
The honest verdict. We're not for everyone, and that's okay.
Choose SmartBoard Climbing if:
- You prefer having a hangboard with sensors at a specific location and don't mind paying over 1000 CAD$.
- You enjoy the specific edge sizes and grip texture that the SmartBoard provides and don't need to test other hold types.
- You don't mind being locked into a single manufacturer's ecosystem for your data and training plans.
Choose Entralpi if:
- You want a travel-friendly system that doesn't limit you to a single piece of wood.
- You want to test your strength on micro-crimps, wide pinches, and slopers that aren't available on the Smartboard.
- You want a customizable, scientifically-validated training experience with a completely free app that you can easily share with your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Entralpi more accurate than the SmartBoard?
No peer-reviewed study has been published about the SmartBoard reliability. The creators of the device claim to use sensors at a 0.08 kg precision, but no independent study was published about the device assembly. In comparison, the Entralpi force plate was validated in a peer-reviewed validation study and proven to have a mean relative error of 0.41% (0.05kg).
Can I use Entralpi if I already own a SmartBoard?
Absolutely. Entralpi is the perfect companion. Just stand on the plate and pull on your SmartBoard. Furthermore, Entralpi measures the exact upward force you apply to ANY hold, whereas the SmartBoard measures force only on its specific built-in edges.
Can Entralpi turn my standard wooden hangboard into a smartboard?
Yes. By standing on the Entralpi force plate and pulling on your existing, non-smart hangboard, the Entralpi app calculates your exact finger force, effectively giving you the benefits of a smartboard on any setup.
Do I need to drill into my wall to use Entralpi?
No. Unlike the Smartboard that requires structural mounting and drilling, Entralpi rests on the floor.
Why is the smartboard so much more expensive?
The Smartboard integrates multiple sensors directly behind a large piece of wood and requires a dedicated power source. This increases manufacturing costs, shipping weight, and complexity. Entralpi uses a single, highly precise scientific research plate on the floor.
Hardware
Entralpi Force Plate
The Entralpi Force Plate brings safe, specific and efficient hangboard training from any simple setup. You’ll have personalized in app finger trainings to carry anywhere you go.
