A portable, personal lifting device (10, 100) includes a central member (12), a seat (14) attached to the central member (12) in such a way that the seat is capable of translating linearly along the central member (12), an actuator (16) for causing translation between the seat (14) and the central member (12), and a support member (24) to stabilize the central member (12). The central member (12) is positioned between a users legs in such a way that the user straddles during operation of the device (10, 100), thereby providing an inexpensive, lightweight lifting device that can be used in very close quarters.
