Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine providing a compound leg exercise known as a squat. The purpose of the invention is to provide rotational resistance to the muscles and joints in a compound exercise. The apparatus uses a cable connecting weights to a cam; the cam converts linear resistance to rotational resistance transferred to a driven gear, and then to a second axis and reversed by use of a drive gear meshed to the driven gear. Both gears are aligned to the joints involved in the exercise. Connected to the drive gear is a lever and footplate the user pushes against. The resulting resistance is perpendicular to the direction of force applied by the muscles and joints, while the feet move in a straight line. The present invention can be applied to compound exercises for the upper or lower body in a variety of different embodiments.