Smaggxx®

Smaggxx combines fun and exercise for both body and mind

A player holding Smaggxx® Splates® on a blue court
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The story behind SMAGGXX.

More than 30 years ago, Italian-Swiss sportswear designer Carlo Maggio had an idea for a new ball game. Carlo, who was successful designing for brands such as Adidas and Puma, was looking for a space-saving alternative to tennis so he could stay in shape anywhere. He also wanted to train with both hands to improve his balance and reaction times. This is how he developed the precursors to today’s Splates®. His father Salvatore, a carpenter, crafted the first wooden prototypes for Carlo, consisting of a round disc with a screw-on handle. In honor of Salvatore, his name is included in the SMAGGXX® word mark: SALVATORE MAGGIO. SMAGG, combined with the double-X, is also a variation of the English word “smack”, just like the sound of a Splate® hitting the ball.

Now in his 70s, Carlo still plays SMAGGXX® every day, whether alone in his living room against the wall or with family and friends on his custom-built outdoor court in southern Italy. Carlo is convinced that SMAGGXX® has contributed significantly to his own physical and mental well-being. He was encouraged in this belief by a chance encounter in Florida with a neurologist. Dr. Enzo Trapani drew Carlo’s attention to the scientifically proven health benefits that regular play of SMAGGXX® may have. This was the catalyst that ultimately led Carlo to decide to make his personal fitness tool accessible to everyone.

For this purpose, in 2025, Carlo, together with longtime friends, experienced Swiss entrepreneurs, founded Smaggxx Sports AG, headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. The first Splates®, manufactured in Switzerland from #tide ocean material®, have been available since summer 2026.

The outdoor Smaggxx® court built by Carlo in southern Italy
Carlo's original SMAGGXX® court in Southern Italy

Live healthier for longer.

Dr. Enzo Trapani, neurologist

Numerous scientific studies have shown that regular physical activity helps improve key brain functions. For example, targeted physical training can enhance attention, perception, and memory.

As US neurologist Dr. Enzo Trapani explains in this video, SMAGGXX® is an ideal tool for training the brain. Playing with the Splates® using both hands simultaneously improves memory, balance, and coordination, among other things. Hitting the ball with the right hand activates the left hemisphere of the brain, which is primarily responsible for language, logical thinking, and mathematical skills. Using the left hand simultaneously activates the right hemisphere, the area responsible for creativity, intuition, holistic thinking, and spatial orientation.

Physical activity, such as regular exercise playing SMAGGXX®, has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, thereby reducing the risk of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Playing SMAGGXX® trains hand-eye coordination and promotes overall motor skills, helping people to remain mobile in old age and avoid falls.

Sustainability and social responsibility.

Our Splates® are made from 100% #tide ocean material®, a recycled raw material derived from plastic waste collected in coastal regions. Through our partnership with the Swiss company Tide Ocean SA, each of our Splates® makes a contribution against marine plastic pollution.
Plastic waste collected in a coastal community
A Tide Ocean collection boat transporting recovered plastic
Recovered plastic being processed at a compounding facility
Recycled ocean-plastic granules held in two hands

From ocean-bound plastic waste to SMAGGXX.

By utilizing #tide® materials, you’re making use of what’s already there and giving plastic waste a second, meaningful life. #tide® helps protect the oceans and their flora and fauna, at the same time supporting local communities, such as fishermen and other affected stakeholders. #tide® has developed an award-winning methodology to transform this kind of waste into high-quality granulate from which the Splates® are manufactured in Switzerland. The #tide® recycling process is audited and tracked by specialized organizations.

  1. Collection

    Fishermen and coastal communities collect plastic waste and bring it to a regional #tide® hub. The collectors are paid for their work.

  2. Sorting

    The material is weighed, cleaned, sorted, documented, and prepared for the next step at specialized collection centres.

  3. Processing

    The single-type plastic waste is recycled using a mechanical process based on the #tide® methodology. This produces high-quality pellets.

  4. Inspection

    #tide® sends samples of the produced batches to a laboratory for quality control. In addition, the #tide® supply chain is certified by Control Union.

  5. Shipping

    The recycled, tracked granules are shipped from the #tide® warehouse to a manufacturing facility of Smaggxx Sports AG.

  6. Production

    The recycled #tide® material is used to manufacture the Splates®: durable, sustainable, and ready for play.

Frequent questions & answers