Abstract: An exercise machine has a frame, a carriage movably mounted to the frame for motion along a substantially linear path and a plurality of springs on the frame for spring biasing the carriage in one direction along the path A latch mechanism is mounted to the frame and is operatively connected to the springs for selectively coupling the springs between the frame and the carriage, thereby providing a variable amount of resistance to motion of the carriage. The latch mechanism includes a manually actuatable handle extending laterally from the carriage, thereby facilitating an adjustment in the resistance to carriage motion, and further includes a spindle and a hook. The spindle is rigid at one end with the handle and, at a point spaced from the handle, with the hook. The spindle, together with the handle and the hook, is swivelable about, and reciprocatable along, an axis. A spring member is disposed on the frame for biasing the hook into a spring-coupling position.