Performing in the vertical plane requires physical capabilities such as strength, power, and endurance. It also demands the development of technical skills such as balance and economic movement while gripping and stepping in an infinite variety of ways, positions and angles. Most important, the inherent stress of climbing away from the safety of the ground requires acute mental control of your thoughts, focus, anxiety and fears. In aggregate, this "climbing performance triad" dovetails into one of the most complex sporting activities on this third rock from the sun.

In order to improve your climbing ability most rapidly, it's obviously vital that you strive for improvement in all three aspects of this triad. You can further elevate your performance by engaging in some of the training support activities such as performance nutrition, accelerated recovery, and proper treatment and prevention of climbing injuries. Whereas some of the above areas are overlooked or ignored by many climbers, you can step onto the fast-track to climbing your best by studying and applying the wide-ranging material presented here in the Training Center.