Movements that include pushing away and pulling towards oneself are important avoidance and approach behaviors, respectively. Previous research has demonstrated that reaction times are more rapid when approach-like movements are undertaken in response to pleasant emotional stimuli and when avoidant movements are carried out in response to unpleasant emotional stimuli. However, few studies have directly investigated the forces applied during self-referenced approach or avoidance movements. Here we measured the sustained forces of pushing and pulling in response to emotional images. The images presented varied in ratings of emotional arousal (i.e., relaxing versus exciting) and valence (positive valence, or pleasant, versus negative valence, or unpleasant). Our results replicate previous findings that documented force produced in response to unpleasant images. Our findings also revealed that, in contrast to their impact on reaction times, the effects of emotional stimuli on the sustained forces associated with approach and avoidance responses are independent of the direction of movement.