Punk in the Gym

by Andy Pollitt

Andy Pollitt is as close to a Hollywood A-lister as the climbing world will ever get. He had the looks, and he starred in all the big roles in the 1980s and 1990s - Tremadog, Pen Trwyn, the big Gogarth climbs, Raven Tor and the cult Australian adventures. Alongside co-stars like Jerry Moffatt, John Redhead and Malcolm 'HB' Matheson, he brought us sexy climbing - gone were the beards, the woolly socks and the fibre pile. Andy was all skin-tight pink Lycra, vests and brooding looks. For those watching, Andy Pollitt had it all. But Punk in the Gym gives us the whole truth. The self-doubt, the depression, the drinking, the fags, the womanising, the injuries, the loss of a father and the trouble that brings, and a need for something - for recognition, a release for the pain, and, for Andy, more drinking, more tears, bigger run-outs.With nothing held back, Andy tells his roller-coaster story from the UK to Australia, exactly as it happened. Exposing his fragile ego and leaving us to laugh, cry, marvel and judge, this is a sports autobiography like no other. The legendary routes are all here - The Bells, The Bells!, Skinhead Moonstomp, The Hollow Man, Boot Boys, The Whore of Babylon and Knockin' on Heaven's Door. And the route that broke him and robbed the climbing world of its Hollywood star - Punks in the Gym.

Genres: Climbing

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2016

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, even if it took me over a year to get around to finishing it. Pollitt wrote with a vitality and farce that typified the experiences of climbers from his era. I am not particularly well versed with autobiographies in general, and certainly not with climbing-specific autobiographies in particular, but I was surprised at the level of candour with which Pollitt regaled the stories of his life. I understand that the entire point of autobiographies is to retell a life, but I do not believe for a moment that most anybody presents their personal history so unvarnished. Pollitt tells of many tales and escapes that are, frankly, questionable at best and morally compromised at worst. Some of the passages where he talks about women are also rather unpalatable. I had hoped they were written with the understanding that they were merely representations of a mentality held by one who was a young adolescent - young adult magnified by several vices, but they are maintained - though less frequently - even when discussing his later years. Though I had purchased this book with the intention of reading about his climbing exploits - of which there are many - his style and storytelling ability captured interest even when climbing is notably absent.

All in all, Pollitt brooked no issue with presenting himself in a way that all autobiographies would do well to replicate, that is to say, he presented himself as nothing other than himself. His influence in British (and presumably Australian, though I admit that I do not know because I am rather ignorant of their history) climbing was marked, and some of his first ascents were tremendous. The 'Rock Star' of British rock climbing died in November 2019. His many first and subsequent ascents of now-legendary routes -alongside this book- stand as testament to his ability, now carved forever into our history.

[Liz Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, brilliant intro- no spoilers, check it out for yourself! Andy’s voice throughout his autobiography is a distinctively meandering, tangential conversational style that understandably disorientates/irritates some but I absolutely loved it. I adored the honesty, emotional openness and Andy’s downright crude humour and glad it wasn’t edited to death.

Contributions from others that climbed with Andy enhance the story. I almost didn’t give the full five stars because greedily I wanted MORE of those nail-biting, blow-by-blow accounts of his moments on the climbs! But hey, the man had a fascinating life off the rock (the rarely far away) so understandable SOME space had to be given non-climbing experiences and actually endeared me to him all the more.

Man’s a legend, I’d love to meet him but I’m a tad mediocre a climber and a lifetime too late arriving in Wales now he’s a full-time Oz. Don’t suppose you wanna sort me a work visa to come over and do access work so I can play on the Araps and Gramps too And?

[David Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read about a climbing ‘A-lister’ when I was a youngster trying to climb hard in the late 80’s. I did actual cross paths with him very briefly in the early 90’s. After missing the last train back to Mancky mank after a trip to Newcastle for a boulder comp. I got a lift from a group of climbing pals from Sheffield missed the last train so crashed on someone’s sofa. Woken up when said Mr Pollitt came down for breakfast to find a skinny youth camped on his sofa. I think he said hello?

[Jim Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read - really enjoyed it - you've done loads Mr. P, amazing climbing career.

[Joss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, though it took me a couple of chapters to get used to Andy's style of writing. Having done so, the reading was immersive and entertaining. I loved hearing about his adventures in France whilst on my own pilgrimage through France, and found the chapters about Australian climbing and climbers particularly insightful. A unique read - from a unique figure, at a unique time in climbing history.