A holding apparatus and a holding unit are disclosed. The holding apparatus (4) includes a base plate (21), a fixed holding member (22) fixed on the base plate, a first movable holding member (11) arranged in opposed relation to and operated in collaboration with the fixed holding member, a second movable holding member (12) operated in collaboration with the first movable holding member in operatively interlocked relationship therewith, and a drive device (19) for driving the first movable holding member and the second movable holding member in operatively interlocked relationship with each other. Both the second movable holding member and the fixed holding member face one side of the first movable holding member. Therefore, holding power can be increased easily without a large space. The holding apparatus may further include a removing device (24, 25, 26) for removing the second movable holding member from between the first movable holding member and the fixed holding member when holding the workpiece (20) with the first movable holding member and the fixed holding member.