LADDER HYDRATION

We are excited to hear about Ladder's new science-based Ladder Hydration - a performance sports drink that replenishes electrolytes lost in sweat.

From Ladder, the sports nutrition company founded by LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ladder Hydration is designed for all athletes from every sport to achieve peak performance during and after physical activity. It was created to provide a caffeine-free energy boost for the toughest workouts, help overcome fatigue and cramping, and assist the body in absorbing more nutrients so athletes can always finish strong. From pre-workout, to everyday greens and post recovery proteins, Ladder Hydration will now support athletes during and after any workout.

We caught up with Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ladder’s Nutrition and Science advisor and Director of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Applied Physiology Laboratory, to learn more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Hello Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, we’re excited to hear about Ladder’s new product - Ladder Hydration. Tell us about it?

DR. ABBIE SMITH-RYAN: Ladder Hydration is a uniquely evidence-based formulated, easily portable, effective solution to help with rehydration and performance.

AM: What is your background and what are some of your roles with Ladder as Nutrition and Science advisor.

DR. ASR: I am an Associate Professor and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina where I develop and evaluate research related to nutrition and health. As a Nutrition and Science advisor to Ladder, I work with the team to help bring in science to product formulation, innovation, and education about how/when/why to use specific products.

AM: What is Ladder’s Refuel Ratio, how does that work?

DR. ASR: The ‘Refuel Ratio’ is a scientifically backed combination of electrolytes to maximize fluid replenishment to reduce the chance of muscle cramping, enhance performance, and amplify recovery. This relies on a unique ratio of Sodium:Potassium – this is essential for fluid replacement and minimizing muscle cramps; Calcium:Magnesium—this is essential for optimizing muscle contraction and recovery; and Potassium:Calcium – this supports an environment to reduce muscle cramps and optimal muscle performance.

AM: How does this lead to offering such a complete hydration product for the market?

DR. ASR: The other key component of Ladder Hydration is the addition of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential for performance and hydration—which are often overlooked in many products on the market. Carbohydrates—specifically sugar, such as dextrose during and after exercise, are key for increasing exercise performance and for rehydration—Interesting, carbohydrate ingestion during and after exercise have also been shown to bolster immunity. Ladder Hydration is also available in portable packets which can help facilitate hydration in a variety of difficult scenarios. Altogether, Ladder Hydration is one of few products on the market that includes all of the electrolytes and carbohydrates, in the ideal ratio, that are needed to maximize rehydration and performance.

AM: How does Ladder Hydration compare among the many product choices available today?

DR. ASR: As you will notice- many hydration products either are missing carbohydrate or lack enough electrolytes. Specifically, they are made/marketed to be consumed at any point throughout the day. To be effective, a hydration product should be higher in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium than our typically daily beverages. They should also taste saltier and sweeter – to help replenish micronutrients following exercise and increase the desire to drink.

AM: What are some key ingredients and what’s notably missing?

DR. ASR: One key ingredient, beyond what is mentioned above- Ladder Hydration also includes Vitamin D. The majority of individuals are deficient in Vitamin D—which has also been linked to optimal muscle contraction, performance, and immune function – the addition of Vitamin D here can further support optimal health and performance.

AM: When are good times to use this – is this great for pre-workout, recovery and/or everyday health?

DR. ASR: This product is optimal for post-exercise—after sweating. It is uniquely formulated to help replenish electrolytes and enhance recovery. Additionally, if someone is exercising for a long period of time with sweating- Ladder Hydration would be recommended during exercise.

PHOTOS COURTESY | Ladder

IG @LadderSport

Read the March Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Ladder Hydration in mag.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW | RITUALS > RESOLUTIONS

When you're focused on working out, it's important to optimize your hard work with your method of choice, recovery and proper nutrition. Ladders is a sports nutrition brand that offers premium supplements that is co-founded by LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ladder's Chief Nutrition Officer, Adam Bornstein tells us about Ladder and their new challenge Rituals>Resolutions.

ATHLEISURE MAG: LeBron James, his trainer Mike Mancias and Arnold Schwarzenegger coming together to create Ladder is a powerful combination. What led you to Ladder?

ADAM BORNSTEIN: Ladder was one of those opportunities you get where you have no idea what it will become but it's worth all of the time and effort. I was a part of Ladder long before it was ever a brand and growing business. Years ago, after LeBron's cramping game - and Mike’s quest to find better supplements - I was contacted by Arnold Schwarzenegger to help formulate the initial Ladder products that were designed for LeBron. I’d known Arnold for years, and he had seen my approach to nutrition, which is one backed by quality, safety, and results. So, when the opportunity came to formulate something for LeBron, it was one of those projects that are incredibly exciting. When someone puts faith in you to create a supplement that will be used by one of the greatest athletes ever, you not only have to rise to the occasion, but you need to go above and beyond and make what you create so much better than anyone’s expectations. That was the original mission and continues to be what drives me every day at Ladder.

AM: Tell us Ladder’s leading shakes and products? What’s the science behind it?

AB: One of the best aspects of Ladder is we only create products that we know work. So, every single ingredient and every amount needs to be backed up by numerous studies (on people, not animals), to say with confidence that it delivers results for the people that use the products. That means we don't have many products because only a few ingredients are undeniably effective. We have 2 protein powders (whey and plant), a Superfood Greens, and our Pre-workout (energy) product.

With the protein, we tried to examine what makes protein effective, which is the amino acids. In order to unlock all of the benefits of protein - everything from muscle gain and fat loss, to even qualities like better hair, skin, and nails - you need a complete protein that is high in essential amino acids and BCAAs. Many proteins might look good on a label with how much protein it has, but it's using a low-grade protein that won’t deliver all of those benefits.

For our Pre-Workout, we were very interested in a position paper by the International Olympic Committee that examined the most powerful performance supplements. Three ingredients stood out: caffeine, beta-alanine, and creatine. So, we built a product around that core and then added elements to help improve focus and ensure that the caffeine would cause a crash or jitters.

And our Superfood Greens focuses more on the essential nutrients in your body - things like magnesium or Vitamin D - that are very hard to get in your diet.

AM: The Rituals>Resolutions Campaign sounds exciting and productive! What does it emphasize and focus on?

AB: The Rituals>Resolutions campaign is designed to solve the age-old question of why it’s so hard for people to stick to their resolutions and see success. It's not that a resolution is a bad intention, but - by design - it’s set up to fail. Goals without systems can’t succeed. And the best way to build a system is to have a habit. And the best way to create habits that stick is to create a ritual that makes it easier for you to repeatedly do behaviors that will lead to desired outcomes.

Instead of having people do the same thing over and over again, we wanted to celebrate the rituals that create habits. Our goal at Ladder is to help anyone level up and better their best, and this is an important component of sharing how so many successful people are able to experience success at the highest level.

AM: Tell us about the featured Challenge led by master trainer Mike Mancias.

AB: We’re lucky at Ladder to have access to some of the best fitness pros in the world. And for the challenge, Mike Mancias worked with Alex Toussaint - a senior instructor at Peloton - to design a challenge that will improve all aspects of fitness. Together, Mike and Alex designed a workout that is a combination of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, requires minimal equipment, and is flexible so that anyone can fit the plan into their busy schedule. We know that after January, people start falling off with their goals. We wanted to make sure that we provided a challenging workout to keep people on track and offer the support of Mike and Alex to keep people motivated, working hard, and seeing results.

AM: What’s the hashtag to get involved, support and follow along?

AB: The Ladder Challenge really is for everyone. A big part of what Ladder does is it brings people together and builds a community so that people are not alone in their pursuit of living healthier and being more active. And the best part is it is driven by one of the best trainers in the world – who has worked with two of the most successful athletes in history – who are sharing insights and access to a wealth of information with anyone that wants it. Everyone can join the Ladder Challenge and engage with others taking the challenge socially using #LadderChallenge.

@LadderSport

Read the Jan Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Something You Should Know | Rituals > Resolutions in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #49 JAN 2020

This month’s cover and back cover is CNBC’s Global Markets Reporter, Seema Mody. Our cover shoot took place in the LES at Lamia’s Fish Market. We talked with Seema about her career, how she got into the industry and stories she has enjoyed covering. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we found out premium supplement nutrition brand, Ladder and their Results>Revolution challenge. We also share highlights from FRIENDSHIP, an EDM festival that took place earlier this year on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to HYUN which is known for their A5 Wagyu beef and the unique ambiance that they provide for those who dine there.

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into MMA’s Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Body Roll Studio and EVEN Hotels), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, He Rocks This When He Is Out and About, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and CBD Beauty.

Read the Jan Issue of Athleisure Mag, Issue #49

IN OUR BAG | FOR A DAY OF APPLE PICKING

Read the Sept Issue of Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag | For a Day of Apple Picking in mag.