Cushioned pivoting deck

The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise treadmills, and still more particularly to suspension systems for supporting the deck of the exercise treadmill above an underlying frame structure. A treadmill () includes a frame on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies (). An endless belt () is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck () is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck () is mounted to the frame by a pivot connection () to allow pivoting of the deck about an axis transversely to the length of the deck. Elongate springs () of adjustable stiffness are mounted either along the sides of the frame to underlie the side margins of the deck, or transversely of the deck, to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection () and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user.