A variable spring resistance to movement of a rod uses a plurality of springs permanently connected between a base and a stack of end connector links extending in the direction of the rod movement. Selecting which of the links is connected to the rod then determines which of the springs are deployed to resist movement of the rod, without requiring any disconnection or reconnection of the springs. The selection can be made by a pin inserted through an aligned hole between a link and the rod. The arrangement can also be inverted with the springs connected between the links and a moving element, and the rod or other link selector being fixed to a base. Connecting one of the links to the rod then determines which of the springs will be extended between fixed and movable elements to establish a selectively variable spring resistance.