The weight lifting aid is a system of cables and pulleys which serves two purposes: (1) it provides an upward force to the bar, (2) it prevents the bar from falling onto the weight lifter's body. The upward force is activated by stepping on a lever next to the bench. This lever will open the jaws of a clamp which releases a cable holding a weight. The falling weight pulls on another cable which aids in counteracting the weight being lifted. In the event that the falling weight is not capable of counteracting the weight being lifted, a safety feature prevents the weight from falling below the weight lifter's chest. The safety feature is an enlargement in the cable which limits the movement of the cable through the pulley.