A reciprocating exercise apparatus with a tube that has a slidable weight. The sliding action of the weight is damped by coil springs. To increase the types of exercises that can be performed with the apparatus there is a pair of stationary handles at the ends of the tube and a pair of handles that slide along the length of tube. The slidable handles are seated on sleeves with a swaged end. This configuration allows for exercises where the weight reciprocates alternately compressing one spring or the other and that can be performed with one hand or two. Auxiliary weights can be attached so a single unit is suitable for users with varying degrees of strength.