An exercise apparatus 10 comprising a seat assembly 22 coupled to a base frame assembly 11, a first vertical member 54, a plurality of vertical frame members 68, 69 coupled to base frame assembly 11, a back pad assembly 77 coupled to plurality of vertical frame members 68, 69, a horizontal frame member 76, and a plurality of substantially identical actuator arm assemblies (110, 111) which are coupled to horizontal frame member 76 the plurality of vertical frame members. Particularly, seat assembly 22 rotates arm assemblies 110, 111 in a first direction about a first axis upon a user rotating seat assembly 22 in a second direction about a second axis, and a user would utilize the exercise apparatus 10 by pulling on arm assemblies 110, 111 in a third direction which applies a force on seat assembly 22 and causes seat assembly 22 to rotate in a fourth direction about a second axis, thereby affording a user a substantially safe exercise that is conducted in both a compression and a tensile mode of motion.