Unweighting exercise equipment

A method for applying air pressure to a portion of a user for unweighting the user while the user exercises using an unweighting system comprising an unweighting assembly and an exercise machine comprising a treadmill having a rotatable belt with a running surface configured for user engagement during the exercise, the unweighting assembly comprising a substantially airtight chamber having a user seal for encapsulating a portion of the user, an exercise machine frame element, and at least one additional frame member configured to form a sealing surface at a top region proximate the running surface, the sealing surface configured to attach the substantially airtight chamber to the treadmill, the method comprising:

• providing the unweighting assembly;
• attaching the exercise machine frame element to and about the exercise machine;
• and
• providing the sealing surface at the top region of the exercise machine over the portion of the running surface, the sealing surface inset from at least one of a front region and a rear region of the running surface, the providing the sealing surface comprising attaching the at least one additional frame member to the exercise machine frame element.