an image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material , includes a heating member ; a flexible member movable in contact with the heating member ; an elastic roller for forming a nip with the heating member with the flexible member interposed therebetween ; wherein a pressure in the nip increases to a maximum peak toward downstream substantially without decreasing with respect to a moving direction of the recording material , wherein the heating member is disposed upstream of the maximum peak portion with respect to the moving direction of the recording material .