of the deck 14 with respect to the frame 12 the axis of rotation 32 may be defined by an axle 33 of the third roller 22 in another embodiment not shown the axis of rotation 32 may be located below the third roller 22 the axis of rotation 32 need not be directly below the third roller 22 but may be located proximate the third roller 22 toward a front end 34 of the treadmill 10 or proximate the third roller 22 toward a rear end 36 of the treadmill 10 the third roller 22 and fulcrum 30 may be positioned at any convenient longitudinal 11 a location between the front end 34 and the rear end 36 of the treadmill 10 the position of the fulcrum 30 may be determined by achieving a desirable balance between the weight of the front and rear portions 34 36 of the deck 14 furthermore the spacing between the fulcrum 30 and the tread surface 16 may be varied to accommodate maximum desired angle of incline or decline for the deck 14 that is by increasing the distance between the fulcrum 30 and the tread surface 16 the deck 14 may be inclined or declined to a steeper angle the belt 24 has a top belt surface 38 which longitudinally covers the tread surface 16 and a bottom belt surface 40 passing below the deck 14 to form a continuous loop the belt 24 may be constructed of any material that provides the necessary strength durability resistance to stretch and frictional characteristics the front rear and third rollers 18 20 22 may.