An exercise arm assembly has a main arm with a central region having a first pivot connection for connection to a frame of an exercise machine to allow pivoting of the main arm about a primary pivot axis, a first swing arm pivoted to one end of the main arm for pivoting about a first swing arm pivot axis, and a second swing arm pivoted to the opposite end of the main arm for pivoting about a second swing arm pivot axis. Each swing arm has at least one handle spaced from the respective swing arm pivot axis for gripping by a user when performing exercises. The swing arm pivot axes are inclined inwardly towards one another to intersect at a location spaced below the first pivot axis, such that the swing arms automatically swing outwardly into an outward rest position when released.