Abstract: A climbing exercise apparatus is provided having a frame on which two pedals are pivotally mounted to provide a user with a vertically reciprocating exercise movement, and a control panel for user input and output. A dynamic break, alternator or the like applies a variable level of resistance (via a suitable transmission) against the user's movement. The resistance varies over time in accordance with a control signal generated by a computer. The value of the control signal is independent of the rate at which the user steps. A display successively displays images of hills. Each hill is associated with one of the series of values, and that value is graphically represented as part of or in visual association with the hill image.