The exercise apparatus includes a rectangular base member and a horizontal planar top member situated thereabove. The top member is engaged to a horizontally pivotable head portion of a telescoping, vertical support member which extends upwardly from the base member and includes on the top telescoping portion a radial flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom in an area beneath the horizontal top member. The horizontal top member includes a slidable planar element engaged thereto which seats against one end of a tensioning spring engaged therebeneath, the other end of the spring being slidably engaged to the radial flange.