Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for counter-balancing a tanning unit pivotally mounted to a base and having a radiation energy source for artificially tanning a person. The apparatus comprises a base, a tanning unit pivotally mounted to said base, and a device for variably applying torque to said tanning unit so that, throughout the range of rotational motion of said tanning unit, the instantaneous applied torque produced by said device for applying torque to said tanning unit approximately counter-balances the instantaneous torque produced by gravitational forces acting on said tanning unit. Therefore, said tanning unit may be retained in any instantaneous position between a raised position and a lowered position. Said device for variably applying torque to said tanning unit comprises an urging device connected between said tanning unit and said base which provides a variable force vector having a force magnitude, proportional to the deformation of said urging device.