A free-weight bench (10) is provided having a safety assist device (12) for preventing injury to a weight lifter who repetitively lifts a barbell weight (16) including a weight bar (42). The safety assist device (12) includes a pair of spaced apart arms (32,34) oriented to permit the bar (42) to move along the length thereof, and a bar-sensing apparatus (45) comprising a plurality of sensors (46) on the arms (32,34) as well as a processor (60) programmed to determine at least one parameter related to the velocity of the bar (42) as it moves along the arms (32,34). Respective extensible supports (47) comprising fluid-actuated piston and cylinder assemblies (48,50) are located adjacent corresponding arms (32,34) and are controlled by the processor (60). In the event that a lifter loses control of the barbell weight (16) causing the latter to rapidly descend, the processor (60) receives bar-position signals from the sensors (46) and calculates a velocity-related parameter; the processor (60) then initiates operation of the supports (47) in order to arrest the downward descent of the barbell weight (16) to prevent injury to the lifter.