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A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second transverse roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained around the roller assemblies. A deck (20) is supported between the upper run of the belt and the frame by a plurality of rectilinear-shaped el

A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second transverse roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained around the roller assemblies. A deck (20) is supported between the upper run of the belt and the frame by a plurality of rectilinear-shaped elastic cushions 100 that are reversibly deformable under the load imposed on a deck by the footplant of the treadmill user. The cushions 100 are not of uniform cross-section; rather, one or both of the ends of the cushions are relieved so as to present a nominally reduced cross-sectional area against the frame and/or deck. As the cushion is compressed from the load imposed on the deck, the cross-sectional area of the cushion providing resistance to further deformation/deflection of the cushion increases thereby increasing the resistance or stiffness of the cushion to further deformation and thus further travel of the treadmill deck (20) towards the frame (12).

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A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second transverse roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained around the roller assemblies. A deck (20) is supported between the upper run of the belt and the frame by a plurality of rectilinear-shaped el

A treadmill (10) includes a frame (12) on which are rotatably mounted first and second transverse roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained around the roller assemblies. A deck (20) is supported between the upper run of the belt and the frame by a plurality of rectilinear-shaped elastic cushions 100 that are reversibly deformable under the load imposed on a deck by the footplant of the treadmill user. The cushions 100 are not of uniform cross-section; rather, one or both of the ends of the cushions are relieved so as to present a nominally reduced cross-sectional area against the frame and/or deck. As the cushion is compressed from the load imposed on the deck, the cross-sectional area of the cushion providing resistance to further deformation/deflection of the cushion increases thereby increasing the resistance or stiffness of the cushion to further deformation and thus further travel of the treadmill deck (20) towards the frame (12). d from a group consisting of round, oblong, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. 12. An exercise treadmill comprising: a. a frame; b. a substantially rigid deck supported by the frame; and c. a plurality of elastic cushions each comprising: i. a longitudinally rectilinear shaped cushion having a first end, a second end, and a cross-sectional area that increases from the first end to a predetermined location along the longitudinal axis of the cushion ii. wherein the plurality of elastic cushions deform to resist deflection of the deck toward the frame resulting from loads imposed on the deck d. wherein the elastic cushions have at least one aperture extending therein from at least one of the first and second ends; and e. further comprising a retainer extending from one of the frame and deck and sized to be closely engaged within the cushion aperture for retention of the cushion thereon. 13. The exercise treadmill of claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional area increases from the second end to a predetermined point along the longitudinal axis. 14. The exercise treadmill according to claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the aperture of the cushion is selected from a group consisting of round, oblong, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal. 15. An exercise treadmill according to claim 12, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the retainer is selected from a group consisting of circular, oval, triangular, square, pentagonal and hexagonal. 16. In an exercise apparatus, including frame and a platform on which various exercises are performed by a user, the platform supported by the frame, an improvement comprising a plurality of elastic cushions positioned between the deck and the frame, said cushions being generally rectilinear in shape and having a first end portion, a second end portion spaced from the first end portion, and an exterior surface, the load from the deck acting on one of the end portions of the cushion and the reaction load from the frame action on the other end portion of the cushion, wherein cross-sectional area of the cushion adjacent the first and second end portion varying in area in the direction toward the opposite end portion of the cushion, thereby presenting a changing bearing area to the frame and the deck as the cushion is deformed to resist loads imposed on the deck during use of the exercise apparatus. 17. An improvement according to claim 16, wherein the juncture between the outside surface of the cushion and one or more of the first and second end portions are radiused, chamfered or beveled. 18. An improvement according to claim 16, wherein the cushions have at least one aperture extending therein from at least one of the first and second end portions of the cushions; and, further comprising a retainer projecting from one or both of the frame and deck, said retainer sized to be closely engageable within the cushion aperture for retention of the cushion. 19. The improvement according to claim 18, wherein: the cross-sectional shape of the aperture of the cushion is selected from a group consisting of round, oblong, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal; and, the cross-sectional shape of the retainer is selected from a group consisting of circular, oval, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal.