Abdominal exercise machine

An abdominal exercise machine having a floor supported bench and a mast pivotally connected to an end of the bench by a universal joint connection. A pair of double acting hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected between the end of the bench and the mast. The connection of the cylinders to the bench is a universal joint connection. A footrest assembly is connected to the mast. A recumbent exerciser can not only exercise the main and lower abdominal muscles by pushing and pulling the mast against the resistance of the hydraulic cylinders in a back and forth direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bench, but also the side or oblique muscles by simultaneously pivoting the mast back and forth in a transverse direction. The machine also allows a combination of the above motions including a circular type motion in either direction, clockwise or counterclockwise.