A fixing device and an image forming apparatus are provided that shorten
warming-up time, reduce power consumption and deviation of a belt, and
surely fix a toner image onto a sheet. Support members and a pressurizing
member contact each other with pressure at an upstream side and a
downstream side in a carrying direction of a recording medium. A first
interposing portion of the belt disposed between the support members is
inserted between the support members and the pressurizing member and is
installed in a tensed state. A second interposing portion of the belt is
installed in a non-tensed state, the pressurizing member contacts the
outside of the first interposing portion to form the fixing nip portion.
The support members contact the pressurizing member with different
pressures at the upstream side and the downstream side in the carrying
direction of the recording medium.