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A counterweight might help when the motor bogs down. Attach an equal weight somewhere to counterbalance the mannequin's weight. Then a tiny motor is sufficient to do the job.

It's hard to imagine where the counterweight should go. I doubt you want it in the aisle. Perhaps attached to the ceiling by a pulley system. For a single pulley the counterweight moves the same distance up-and-down as the mannequin travels.

A spring (as for screen doors, garage doors) might be an alternate.

Ideas about using a counterweight:

* Sandbags among stage curtains make it easier for a human to raise & lower  heavy curtains or props.

* Railroad crossing gate has heavy weight on the thicker end, so a small motor can raise & lower the gate.

* A lift bridge (or drawbridge) has enormous counterweights at each end, usually hidden from view.