The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion
layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt
includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and
integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a
thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about
80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05
inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior
to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming
agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic
material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely
adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer
between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the
treadmill belt.