Fitness training apparatus and system

A fitness training apparatus comprising:

• a base having a bottom surface configured for placement on a horizontal support surface;
• a spool or drum provided in the base with a vertical central axis of rotation;
• a retractable line provided in the base, the retractable line having a free end region that emerges from an upper surface of the base for operation by a user, wherein the retractable line is configured and arranged, upon application of a force to the free end region of the retractable line by the user, to be extended from a retracted state in which the retractable line is wound around the spool or drum to an extended state;
• a load generator provided in the base for applying a selectively adjustable load to the retractable line, wherein the selectively adjustable load applied to the retractable line by the load generator resists or acts against the force applied to the free end region by the user for extending the retractable line from the retracted state to the extended state, and wherein the load generator comprises a direct drive electric motor arranged coaxial with the vertical central axis of rotation of the spool or drum;
• and
• a controller for operating the load generator to apply the selectively adjustable load to the retractable line, wherein the controller modifies the selectively adjustable load applied to the retractable line by the load generator.