An improvement to an exercise device of the type comprising a reciprocal pressurized gas unit with a pair of handles releasably attached to the opposite ends of the pressurized gas unit is described. The improvement to this type of exercise device comprises interengaging locking means at the second end of the cylinder and the second distal end of the piston rod, respectively, for locking the unit in a compressed position. The improvement also comprises means for having one handle fixed with respect to rotation of the gas pressurized unit and one handle rotatable with respect to the gas pressurized unit. The gas pressurized units may be interconnected with each other in either longitudinal alignment or in a T-shaped arrangement. Various attachments can be added to the exercise device including a massage element, a suction cup, a toroid shaped handle, a strap and a stirrup. The handles can be removed from the gas pressurized unit and attached to another gas pressurized unit of the same construction, but having an increased level of resistance to applied pressure.