A dual action weightlifting machine has a stationary main frame assembly comprising a right side frame and a left side frame on opposite sides of an exercise area, and a traveling frame movably supported on the stationary frame assembly and having right and left sides and a cross bar connecting the right and left sides above the exercise area, each side of the traveling frame having a vertical guide. A weight bearing exercise bar is movably supported on the traveling frame and has spaced first and second vertical slides slidably mounted on the right and left vertical guides. A horizontal slide assembly has dual horizontal guides on each side frame which engage dual slides on each side of the traveling frame. The horizontal slide assembly is located in a lower portion of the stationary frame assembly completely below the vertical travel path of a user engaging portion of the weight bearing exercise bar.