Abstract: A slide is confined for travel along a guide having a surface which can be interengaged by one or more friction pads on the slide. An operating lever rigid to the slide and projecting outwardly therefrom may be grasped at its outer end for the purpose of operating the slide, and because the slide is loosely confined on the guide, the user-applied force on the lever rocks the slide in a direction to press the friction component or components tightly against the cooperating surface of the guide to produce frictional resistance as the slide travels along the guide. The pads may be adjustably positioned in any one of a number of locations for achieving variation in resistance generated by the exerciser, and the lever is itself extensible for adjustment of the moment arm between the end of the lever and the surface of the surface engaged by the friction pads. A variety of embodiments are disclosed including a rectilinear form and a curvilinear form.