A fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine. The fitness machine includes a base and a mobile portion engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body resists movement of the mobile portion towards the base in a height direction, where the resilient body has first and second ends defining a length therebetween, and where the length is defined in a length direction that is perpendicular to the height direction. A stop wall is engageable by the resilient body, where the length of the resilient body increases when the mobile portion moves towards the base until the second end engages with the stop wall. The resilient body provides shock absorption for the user.

A fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine. The fitness machine includes a base and a mobile portion engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body resists movement of the mobile portion towards the base in a height direction, where the resilient body has first and second ends defining a length therebetween, and where the length is defined in a length direction that is perpendicular to the height direction. A stop wall is engageable by the resilient body, where the length of the resilient body increases when the mobile portion moves towards the base until the second end engages with the stop wall. The resilient body provides shock absorption for the user.

An exercise apparatus with suspension system is provided. The exercise apparatus may include one or more of the following; a frame suspension system, a base suspension system, a deck suspension system, or a chassis dampening system. The advantage of exercising apparatus with suspension system is that it may prevent or mitigate vibration and sound disturbances of the exercise apparatus when it is used.

A treadmill has a base with a vertically displaceable platform. A mechanism is provided that resists the downward movement of the platform in response to a load applied to the platform. The mechanism also rebounds the platform upwardly with a force applied to the platform in response to a decrease of a load on the platform. A support structure enables stable vertical positioning of the platform with respect to the base.

A cordless treadmill including a frame, a belt system, and a drop-in cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes a plurality of staggered rollers configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The frame is adapted to receive the belt system and the cartridge as they are lowered into the frame, and the frame is adapted to place the belt of the belt system into tension as the belt system is lowered into the frame. An integrated flywheel generator system provides smooth operation of the treadmill and generates electricity to power additional systems.

A treadmill has a base with a vertically displaceable platform. A mechanism is provided that resists the downward movement of the platform in response to a load applied to the platform. The mechanism also rebounds the platform upwardly with a force applied to the platform in response to a decrease of a load on the platform. A support structure enables stable vertical positioning of the platform with respect to the base.

A dynamic belt-tensioning apparatus for a treadmill includes a base having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. A foot-striking platform is movably supported by the base so as to allow vertical movement of the platform during operation of the treadmill. A drive belt has a fixed circumference and is positioned above a top portion of the platform. A drive roller is pivotally mounted adjacent to the first end of the base and engages the drive belt. A tensioning roller is pivotally mounted to the base and is capable of a range of movement to provide substantially constant tension to the drive belt in response vertical movement of the platform.

A treadmill has a base with a vertically displaceable platform. A mechanism is provided that resists the downward movement of the platform in response to a load applied to the platform. The mechanism also rebounds the platform upwardly with a force applied to the platform in response to a decrease of a load on the platform. A support structure enables stable vertical positioning of the platform with respect to the base.

A fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine. The fitness machine includes a base, at least one member engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine, and a resilient body that resists movement of the at least one member towards the base so as to provide shock absorption for the user, wherein the resistance provided by the resilient body is adjustable. The fitness machine further includes a control system configured to receive from the user a shock setting corresponding to how much shock absorption is desired, and to receive other than from the user a secondary input, wherein the control system is further configured to adjust the resistance provided by the resilient body based on the shock setting and the secondary input.

In one embodiment, an adjustable surface stiffness treadmill includes a treadmill unit, a scissor mechanism that supports the treadmill unit, a stiffness adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a vertical stiffness of the treadmill unit, and an input link having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the scissor mechanism and the second end being connected to the stiffness adjustment mechanism, wherein the input link translates downward vertical forces imposed upon the treadmill unit into horizontal forces imposed upon the stiffness adjustment mechanism.