# Entralpi: Ground-Based Force Plate for Climbers

> Entralpi is a smart, ground-based force plate that gives rock climbers automated weakness diagnostics, precise finger-strength testing, and training analytics — with no overhead rigging or wall installation required.

By measuring Ground Reaction Force (GRF) rather than inline tension, Entralpi allows athletes to use any existing hangboard, pinch block, or edge to test finger strength and lower-body explosiveness (Rate of Force Development).

Key facts:

- Measures Ground Reaction Force: you stand on the plate while pulling on any edge, so any fixed hangboard, portable block, door frame, or custom edge becomes a measurable training station.
- Scientifically validated: a peer-reviewed study in Sports Biomechanics (2023) found excellent agreement between the Entralpi force plate and a laboratory-grade force platform (ICC 0.991, mean relative error 0.41%).
- Free companion app on iOS and Android with unlimited individual user profiles; the device pairs automatically over Bluetooth.
- Runs on 4 standard AAA batteries (included) — no internal battery to degrade and no proprietary charger. A single set lasts for months of normal training.
- Price: 185 CAD (approximately 137 USD / 126 EUR).

## Core Documentation

- [Entralpi Hardware Details](https://entralpi.com/hardware): Specifications on the scientific research load cells, battery design, and Bluetooth integration.
- [The Entralpi App](https://entralpi.com/app): The free iOS/Android app for live force data, training protocols, user profiles, and progress tracking.
- [Scientific Research](https://entralpi.com/research): Peer-reviewed validation of the Entralpi force plate (Sports Biomechanics, 2023: ICC 0.991 vs. a laboratory force platform) plus a curated archive of climbing-science publications on finger strength and training methodology.
- [Training Blog](https://entralpi.com/blogs): Articles on finger-strength training, testing protocols, and injury prevention for climbers.

## Training Articles

Practical training protocols with explicit intensities, published on the Entralpi blog.

- [Finding and Organising Your Climbing Goals](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/setting-climbing-goals): Training can turn into a pile of exercises collected from everywhere. Félicien Roy works through how to define goals first, so the exercises follow from something.
- [Partial Hangs](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/partial-hangs): Keeping your feet on the ground isolates climbing movements and lets you dial intensity precisely. Simpler than full hangs, and closer to what climbing actually asks of you.
- [Avoiding Ground Falls on Trad](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/avoiding-ground-falls-on-trad): Trad comes with horror stories about gear ripping and decking. Three habits that let you start placing your own protection without learning the hard way.
- [Training for Monos](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/mono-finger-training): Pulling hard on one finger sounds like an injury waiting to happen. Done gradually it builds strength that transfers to other grips — and protects the hand when a finger slips.
- [Training Your Head to Climb Harder](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/mental-training-for-climbing): Coming back from injury with no expectations, Sabrina Thayer-Head spent a season working on the least glamorous part of climbing — and had her best results yet. Five things she learned.
- [Training at Home](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/training-at-home): With the gyms shut, how do you keep the progress you made over winter? A climber's finger-training week, broken down by energy system.
- [Daily Training Routine](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/daily-training-routine): A three-minute finger routine you can do every day, rest days included. Low enough to recover from, frequent enough to matter for tendons.
- [Warm-up Routine](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/warm-up-routine): Most climbers walk in and get straight on the wall. A five-minute routine — cardio, mobility, finger warm-up, specific work, then pyramids — costs little and protects a lot.
- [Aerobic Endurance on the Hangboard](https://entralpi.com/blogs/training/aerobic-endurance-with-the-hangboard): The pump that won't go away is an aerobic problem, not a strength problem. How to train forearm aerobic capacity with intermittent hangs at 20–35% of your max.

## Research Archive

A curated bibliography of climbing-science publications on finger strength and training methodology, maintained at https://entralpi.com/research. Includes the independent validation of the Entralpi force plate.

- McClean, Z. J., MacDougall, K. B., Fletcher, J. R., Aboodarda, S. J., MacIntosh, B. R. (2023). Test-Retest Reliability of a 4-Minute All-Out Critical Force Test in Rock Climbers. International Journal of Exercise Science. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10449326/
- MacDougall, K. B., McClean, Z. J., MacIntosh, B. R., Fletcher, J. R., Aboodarda, S. J. (2023). Validity of the Entralpi force plate in the assessment of finger flexor performance metrics in rock climbers. Sports Biomechanics. DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2259356. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/DXYQFDVFXTAEFRGDI9N3/full?target=10.1080/14763141.2023.2259356
- Kessler, C. (2019). Examination of Individual Finger Flexor Force Production and Performance Limiting Factors in Rock Climbing. Seattle Pacific University, HHP 4899. https://entralpi.com/assets/research/individual-finger-flexor-force-production-kessler-2019.pdf
- Kaiser, F. (2015). Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs der Fingermaximalkraft und der gekletterten Schwierigkeit beim Bouldern. Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. https://entralpi.com/assets/research/investigation-maximum-finger-strength-climbing-difficulty-bouldering-thesis-kaiser-2015.pdf
- Bourassa-Moreau, F., Bourassa-Moreau, B., Bourassa-Moreau, E. (2014). Computer Connected Force Platform Performance Assessment and Training Tool for Rock Climbing. International Mountain and Outdoor Sports Conference 2014, Prague, Czech Republic. https://entralpi.com/assets/research/international-mountain-outdoor-sports-conference-presentation-bourassa-moreau-2014.pdf
- Bourassa-Moreau, F., Bourassa-Moreau, B., Bourassa-Moreau, E. (2014). Computer Connected Force Platform Performance Assessment and Training Tool for Rock Climbing. International Rock Climbing Research Association Congress 2014, Pontresina, Switzerland. https://entralpi.com/assets/research/international-rock-climbing-research-association-congress-presentation-bourassa-moreau-2014.pdf

## Frequently Asked Questions

The full FAQ is published at https://entralpi.com/#faq.

### Equipment & Setup

#### I don't own a fancy hangboard. What else can I use with the force plate?

The beauty of the force plate is its versatility! Because you stand on the plate, you can turn practically any edge into a measurable training station. It works perfectly with fixed hangboards, portable blocks, door frames, or custom edges. If you can pull on it, you can train with it.

#### I hate dealing with complex tech setups. Is it hard to connect to the app?

Not at all. We designed it for a totally frictionless experience. Just download the free Entralpi app (available on iOS and Android) and turn the device on. It will pair automatically with your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth—no complex syncing required.

#### Am I going to be tethered to a wall outlet or stuck with dead internal batteries a year from now?

No cords, no proprietary chargers, and no planned obsolescence. The force plate runs on 4 standard AAA batteries (included with your device). We intentionally chose this design so you won't be dealing with degraded internal batteries down the line. A single set lasts for months of normal training, though we highly recommend using rechargeable AAAs for heavy users.

### Sharing & Community

#### Can I share the device with my climbing crew or gym members?

Absolutely! You can share the physical device with as many people as you want. The Entralpi app is completely free and supports unlimited individual user profiles, making it perfect for training with friends, coaching sessions, or gym environments.

### Training, Rehab & Injury Prevention

#### Is this just for elite climbers, or will it work for my current grade?

Entralpi is for every climber! Because the system measures your exact force output, it seamlessly adapts to your current strength level. Whether you are a beginner looking to safely condition your tendons or an elite athlete dialing in specific training protocols, the system scales exactly to where you are.

#### How does training on a force plate keep my fingers safer than just climbing?

It takes the unpredictability out of your training. On the wall, a slipped foot or a dynamic catch can put sudden, dangerous spikes of load on your pulleys. The force plate provides a completely controlled environment where you can condition your tendons for heavy loads with zero unpredictable variables. Combined with our data tracking, you can safely monitor your fatigue, listen to your body, and avoid overtraining.

#### I'm recovering from a finger tweak. How can this help me rehab safely?

First, we always recommend consulting a climbing-specialized physiotherapist or doctor, as finger injuries are complex. Once a professional clears you for light loading, Entralpi becomes a powerful rehabilitation tool. It allows you to:

- Safely test your fingers at controlled, sub-maximal loads.
- Compare the strength of your injured side to your healthy side.
- Execute a highly precise, gradual rehab plan without ever having to guess your limits.

## Competitor Comparisons

Climbing force sensors fall into two categories besides Entralpi: hanging (inline) sensors such as the Tindeq Progressor and Pitch 6, which must be rigged with carabiners and measure pull tension; and instrumented hangboards (also marketed as "smart hangboards") such as Climbro, Smart Board, and Griptonite, which are fixed installations with built-in sensors. Entralpi is a ground-based force plate: you stand on it and pull on any edge, so it works under any hangboard with no rigging or installation.

Key comparison facts:

- Scientific validation: Entralpi is validated at 0.41% precision (±0.17kg) in a peer-reviewed independent study (Sports Biomechanics, 2023). Tindeq is the only other peer-reviewed device, validated at ~3kg precision with smoothing applied. Climbro, Smart Board, Pitch 6, and Griptonite have no published independent validation.
- Device price tiers: Entralpi $ (affordable, 185 CAD ≈ 137 USD); Tindeq $ and Pitch 6 $ (more); Climbro $$ (expensive); Griptonite $$$ (very expensive); Smart Board $$$$$ (very very expensive).
- App cost: the Entralpi app is 100% free; Tindeq's app is free; Pitch 6's app is freemium; Climbro, Smart Board, and Griptonite require paid apps or subscriptions.
- Standalone use: Entralpi is the only device in this group that works without opening an app.
- Data ecosystem: Entralpi and Tindeq offer an open API; Climbro, Smart Board, Pitch 6, and Griptonite are closed ecosystems.

If you are looking for alternatives to other platforms, we have documented factual comparisons between Entralpi and major competitors:

- [Full Comparison Table](https://entralpi.com/compare): Side-by-side comparison of Entralpi vs. Tindeq, Climbro, Smart Board, Pitch 6, and Griptonite across three tables: hardware, setup & versatility (including device price tiers), accuracy & scientific validation, and software & pricing.
- [Entralpi vs. Tindeq Progressor](https://entralpi.com/compare/tindeq-alternative): A breakdown of how Entralpi differs from the Tindeq Progressor regarding setup speed, rigging, and ground reaction force versus inline tension.
- [Entralpi vs. Climbro](https://entralpi.com/compare/climbro-alternative): A feature comparison between built-in smart holds and Entralpi's universal testing platform.
- [Entralpi vs. Griptonite Motherboard](https://entralpi.com/compare/griptonite-alternative): A comparison for users deciding between a permanent wall installation and a portable force plate.
- [Entralpi vs. Pitch6 Force Board](https://entralpi.com/compare/pitch6-alternative): A breakdown of dedicated isometric pull blocks versus a universal ground plate.
- [Entralpi vs. Smart Board](https://entralpi.com/compare/smart-board-alternative): An analysis of expensive wall-mounted instrumented hangboards versus adding Entralpi to a standard wooden board.

## Localization

All pages are also available in French under https://entralpi.com/fr/ (for example, https://entralpi.com/fr/hardware).