A rope climbing apparatus (15) comprising a frame (16), a seat (18) supported by the frame and adapted to move relative to the frame from a first position (19) to an elevated second position (20), a lower pulley assembly (21) connected to the seat, an upper pulley assembly (22) connected to the frame, a rope (23) extending between the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly and having a rope climbing portion (24) graspable by a user (25) when the user is seated on the seat, and the rope, the seat, the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly configured and arranged such that a downward force (26) on the rope climbing portion of the rope causes an upward force (28) on the seat. The downward force on the rope climbing portion may result in an upward force on the seat at a mechanical advantage provided by the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly, and the mechanical advantage may be four. The rope may comprise a first end portion (29) connected to the seat and the rope climbing portion may comprise a second end portion (30) terminating within grasp of the user when the user is seated on the seat. The first end portion of the rope may be connected to the seat via the lower pulley assembly, such that the first end portion of the rope is connected directly to the lower pulley assembly.