A climber's performance depends to a large extent on the development of his technical skills. Mastery of climbing techniques and the concomitant ability to control the body's centre of gravity (which is dependent to a large extent on coordinative abilities) form the basis of a climber's performance.

However, technique alone will get nobody up a rock face; basic physical qualities have to be brought into play, above all three different aspects of strength. The first of these is power-endurance, which is the ability to expend strength over a long period without tiring; the second is maximum strength, needed to surmount particularly difficult features on a climb; the third is power, required for dynamic climbing.

Flexibility also plays an important role, since it extends the range of techniques available to a climber and make it possible to use the limbs for climbing even in unusual positions.

Finally, general endurance (the efficiency of the cardiovascular system) is important for climbers when climbing in high alpine locations, both because of the altitude and the length of the approach routes and climbs. Moreover, general endurance is the basis of all training, since it creates and sustains general physical fitness, increases training overload and therefore contributes to healthy training.

In addition to the physical factors that determine performance, the demand profile of rock climbing also includes psychological factors such as overcoming any fear of heights or of falling, the ability to withstand pain and to develop will power in training, skills in route planning as well as tactical behaviour.