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 cordless treadmill includes a deck assembly including a frame, a belt system, an incline adjustment system, and a generator system; and a display assembly that supports an electronic display device above the deck assembly for displaying information to a user. The incline adjustment system includes a lever and a lift motor, the lever having a first end rotatably coupled to a frame of the deck assembly. The generator system includes a flywheel generator coupled to at least one of a forward or rear roller and configured to generate electricity as a result of the at least one of the forward or rear rollers rotating with respect to the frame, wherein the flywheel generator is configured to provide power to the electronic display device and the lift motor.

An exercise treadmill includes a frame, an endless belt, and a motor assembly for guiding the belt between front and rear ends of the frame while a user walks or runs on the belt. An impact absorbing assembly is supported beneath a region of the treadmill belt impacted by the user's feet when the user walks or runs on the belt. The assembly has physical properties that serve to define degrees of damping or springiness of the belt in the region impacted by the user. A control system including a user interface is coupled to the absorbing assembly, and the system is configured and operative to vary the physical properties of the assembly in response to an output from the user interface. The region of treadmill belt impacted by the user's feet then simulates a desired one of a number of different surfaces entered by the user on the interface.

A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt running between front and rear pulley rollers is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion, wherein each transverse slat has at least one continuous fin descending downward therefrom.

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.

A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt running between front and rear pulley rollers is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion, wherein each transverse slat has at least one continuous fin descending downward therefrom.

A cordless treadmill includes a deck assembly including a frame, a belt system, an incline adjustment system, and a generator system; and a display assembly that supports an electronic display device above the deck assembly for displaying information to a user. The incline adjustment system includes a lever and a lift motor, the lever having a first end rotatably coupled to a frame of the deck assembly. The generator system includes a flywheel generator coupled to at least one of a forward or rear roller and configured to generate electricity as a result of the at least one of the forward or rear rollers rotating with respect to the frame, wherein the flywheel generator is configured to provide power to the electronic display device and the lift motor.

A fitness machine operable by a user. The fitness machine has a base and a mobile portion that moves relative to the base during operation. A resilient body resists movement of the mobile portion towards the base in a height direction. The resilient body has a length defined in a length direction that is perpendicular to the height direction. The length of the resilient body increases when the mobile portion moves towards the base. An end stop is operable to prevent the length of the resilient body from increasing beyond a set maximum. The end stop is moveable to adjust the set maximum for the length of the resilient body, where a resistance provided by the resilient body to resist movement of the mobile portion towards the base is unaffected by moving the end stop when the length of the resilient member is less than the set maximum.

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.