A fixing device includes a fixing member of which surface is deformable, a
heating unit that heats the fixing member, a pressurizing unit having an
endless member and a pressurizing member. The pressurizing member
includes an elastic layer and presses the endless member against the
fixing member to bring the endless member into pressure contact with the
fixing member. The elastic layer has an apparent hardness (ASKER-C) which
is larger than that at a point where an apparent hardness starts to
change rapidly with respect to a rubber thickness in a load application
direction.