A weightlifting machine includes a user-engaging device, a carriage support, a carriage moveably mounted on the carriage support and configured to move along the carriage support, and a cable system including a cable operably connected to the user-engaging device and the carriage and one or more pulleys to guide a path of the cable. The cable may have a vertical cable section extending vertically within the center passage of a vertical rail of the carriage support. The machine may also include a platform to support the user during the exercise, the platform having a slot through which a section of the cable extends, and a friction reducing structure positioned along at least a portion of a periphery of the slot to engage the cable, which includes one or more rollers positioned along the at least a portion of the periphery of the slot.