Exercise machine

A resistance mechanism comprising

• a. a spool comprised of a first encasing and a first shaft rotatably fixed to said first encasing, the first encasing containing a first encasing connection port and the first shaft containing a first shaft connection port;
• b. a first cable wound about the first shaft with a first end fixed to the first shaft and a second end routed through the first encasing;
• c. at least one resistance plate connected in series on an end of the spool, each resistance plate comprises
• i. a second encasing and a second shaft rotatably fixed to said second encasing, the second encasing containing second encasing connection ports on first and second ends thereof and the second shaft containing second shaft connection ports on first and second ends thereof, wherein the second encasing connection ports and second shaft connection ports connect to the respective connection ports of the adjacent resistance plate and/or the spool;
• and
• ii. at least one resistance device contained within at least one resistance plate wherein the resistance device is positioned to resist the relative motion between the second shaft and the second encasing.