Braking mechanism for a self-powered treadmill

A method for braking moving components of a treadmill, the method comprising:

• providing a treadmill including:
• a running deck having a first belt roller disposed at a first end thereof and a second belt roller disposed at a second end thereof;
• a plurality of roller bearings mounted to said running deck at fixed positions between said first belt roller and said second belt roller;
• a continuous belt disposed around said first belt roller and said second belt roller;
• an electric belt motor operatively coupled to at least one of said two belt rollers via a motor axle;
• and
• a mechanical brake including:
• a brake mount rigidly mounted to said motor with said motor axle extending and rotating therethrough;
• a brake pad rigidly mounted to said motor axle;
• an armature;
• and
• a biasing mechanism biasing said armature against said brake pad and said brake pad against said brake mount;
• supplying said mechanical brake with electricity to disengage said mechanical brake by moving said armature against said biasing to disengage said armature from said brake pad;
• and
• removing said electricity supply from said mechanical brake to brake said continuous belt by allowing said biasing to engage said brake pad and push said armature into said brake pad and said brake pad into said brake mount.