An exercise apparatus includes a frame and handles mounted on the frame and moveable by a user in opposite directions. The handles are coupled to a transmission so that movement of the handles by a user create rotational movement of a transmission input, movement of the handles in one direction creating rotational movement of the transmission input in one direction and movement of the handles in the opposite direction creating rotational movement of the transmission input in the opposite direction. The transmission couples the transmission input to a resistance means, such as an eddy current resistance device, in a manner to provide a different resistance to rotation of the transmission input depending upon the direction of rotation of the transmission input. Thus, the resistance to rotational movement of the transmission input in one rotational direction is greater than it is in the opposite rotational direction. This coupling can be accomplished by converting rotational movement of the transmission input in opposite directions into an output having only one direction of rotation and coupling the output to a single resistance element, or the transmission can couple a shaft that rotates in opposite directions to two resistance elements so that rotation in one direction is resisted by one resistance element and rotation in the opposite direction is resisted by the other resistance element.