Abstract: A variable weight exercise machine is expressly engineered for exercising the gripping muscles of the hand. The machine includes a movable carriage mounted for vertical reciprocating motion by riding on a pair of vertical guide bars. The guide bars are rigidly mounted on a support frame along with a fixed handle bar. A movable handle bar is mounted on the carriage. A weight bearing bar is affixed to the carriage. The weight bearing bar passes through a stack of the weights. A series of transverse holes in the weight bearing bar are in registry with transverse holes in the weights. A locking pin is passed through a transverse hole in a selected weight and through the corresponding hole in the weight bearing bar to lock the selected weight and all those above it to the carriage. Bringing the movable handle bar to the fixed handle bar by hand gripping action lifts the carriage and the selected weights.