detail an exercise apparatus 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in fig1 the exercise apparatus includes two support members 3 and 4 for the torso and buttocks respectively fitted with a compressible member and a selectable weight stack 2 for providing strength enhancing upper body physical resistance when the exercise apparatus is in use other sources of exercise resistance may also be utilized including individual weight plates hydraulic pneumatic and electromagnetic or friction mechanisms or even the operator 39 s own weight although for the sake of clarity the present invention is illustrated as an exercise machine dedicated to a press exercise it is to be understood that the invention may also be embodied as a exercise machine dedicated to seated rowing exercises a lat machine used for lat pull down or low row exercises a plate loaded machine a multi station machine a circuit training machine cardiovascular equipment such as a rowing machine or bike or a flat upright inclined or declined bench for free weight exercises the apparatus features support members 3 and 4 fitted with a compressible member the exterior of the compressible member may be composed of a durable material such as plastic synthetic fiber or synthetic leather the compressible member contains a liquid gel or gas e g air or combinations thereof examples of gels which can be used to fill the compressible member are described in but not limited to.