Ladder Sport Review

LeBron James suffered game-changing cramps during Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals. Anyone who’s followed his career knows he doesn’t accept setbacks — he powers through them. That experience led him to co-found Ladder Sport alongside a couple of partners.

We took a closer look at what the athlete created — ingredients, claims, side effects, and supporting research. Here’s our full breakdown.

What Is Protein?

Ladder Sport is a high-performance nutrition company offering superfood greens, pre-workout drinks, and plant and whey protein powders, all built around the tagline “Rituals Over Resolutions” — aiming for cleaner, high-quality supplements to help users get more out of their training.

• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: high-protein diets genuinely enhance weight loss during energy restriction.
• International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism: protein supplements, including whey, genuinely help athletes meet recommended protein intake.
• Journal of Geriatric Cardiology: plant-based protein is a genuinely viable option for preventing and treating being overweight.

Who Makes Ladder Sport?

Ladder was founded through a partnership between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Mancias, and LeBron James, headquartered in Marina del Rey, California. The idea originated from James’s severe muscle cramps during the 2014 NBA Finals, driving him to seek a supplement that could prevent similar physiological setbacks in critical moments.

Ladder’s formulas are free of artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors, sourced naturally, and NSF Certified for Sport — trusted by teams across the MLB, NHL, NBA, and NFL. The company also became OpenFit’s first supplement partner, emphasizing effectiveness, purity, and quality.

Ladder Sport Customer Service

No direct phone line is listed, but support is available via help.openfit.com and social media.

• Facebook: /laddersport
• LinkedIn: Ladder
• Email: info@ladder.sport
• Twitter: @laddersport
• Instagram: @laddersport

Ladder Sport’s Claims

Ladder markets its products as beneficial for anyone, not just professional athletes — whether training for a marathon or simply building healthier habits. The brand and LeBron himself claim every product is rigorously tested, science-backed, and designed to unlock enhanced physical performance.

Ladder Sport Ingredients

Pre-Workout: 250mg theanine, 3g beta-alanine, 5g creatine, 100mg natural caffeine.

Plant-Based Protein: 4.5g BCAAs, 9g essential amino acids, 21g protein.

Whey Protein: 7g BCAAs, 14g amino acids, 26g protein.

Superfood Greens: 400mg magnesium, 3,000 IU vitamin D, 100mg matcha powder, 2,000mg spirulina, plus rhodiola root for immunity and adaptogenic support.

Do Ladder Sport Supplements Actually Work?

Ladder uses genuinely quality ingredients — here’s what the research shows on the key ones:

• The Journal of Physiology: dietary BCAAs genuinely link to energy balance and metabolic health regulation in overweight animal models.
• Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine: vitamin D supplementation genuinely supports muscle recovery and endurance in athletes.
• International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice: Rhodiola rosea extract genuinely influences stress hormone release while boosting energy metabolism.
• Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine: theanine genuinely supports memory function and normal sleep through its antioxidant properties.
• Malaysian Journal of Nutrition: spirulina genuinely offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, supporting immunity.

Ladder Sport and Weight Loss

Ladder Sport is built for athletic and high-performance training, but a few ingredients genuinely support weight-related goals too:

• Complementary Therapies in Medicine: spirulina supplementation genuinely reduces body weight in overweight individuals.
• Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders: varying protein intake genuinely helps regulate appetite and body composition in overweight patients.

How to Use Ladder Sport Supplements

Pre-Workout: mix with 8-12oz water, 30-45 minutes before training. Whey and Plant-Based Protein (vanilla or chocolate): mix with 8-12oz water or plant milk, ideally within 1-2 hours of training, though any time works. Superfood Greens: mix with apple juice or coconut water for a hydrating, palatable option.

Ladder Sport Side Effects

Generally safe, though Ladder Whey Protein isn’t suitable for those with dairy allergies. Reported effects include fatigue, constipation, stomach discomfort, and bloating — commonly linked to insufficient water intake alongside protein supplementation.

Cost and Where to Buy

Available at ladder.openfit.com and Amazon.

Whey Protein / Plant-Based Protein: 4 servings $16, 15 servings (packets) $40, 30 servings (packets) $70, 30 servings (bag) $60, 45 servings $90.

Pre-Workout Mix: 4 servings $15, 15 servings $37, 30 servings (packets) $66, 30 servings (bag) $56, 40 servings $85.

Superfood Greens: 4 servings $16, 15 servings $40, 30 servings (packets) $70, 30 servings (bag) $60, 45 servings $90.

A $20 promo code is often available for new orders, and subscriptions save 20%.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy, on-the-go packets
• NSF Certified for Sport
• Free shipping
• Vegan and gluten-free options
• No artificial sweeteners
• Subscription savings available
• 30-day refund policy

Cons:

• Limited flavor variety
• Only four core products
• Pricier than competing brands
• US-only shipping

Bottom Line on Ladder Sport

Ladder Sport is a genuinely well-formulated, all-natural workout supplement line, aiming to support fat loss, muscle building, and essential nutrient intake through demanding training.

For those focused specifically on weight loss, Ladder Sport can genuinely help maintain protein levels and training energy, but it won’t address eating habits or the psychological side of weight management — a comprehensive weight-loss program with personalized coaching will typically deliver more complete results on that front.

Explore more Fitness Supplements reviews and guides on our site.