A flexible structure that exhibits axial, bending, and twisting compliance, allowing for limited freedom of deformation and impact load dampening characteristics tailored accordingly for the applications of the flexible structure. The flexible structure comprises two or more formers, a plurality of resilient members supporting and affixed to the perimeters of the formers, and either an elastomeric central member located between each former and in the center of the resilient members, or an elastomeric surrounding member located between each former and around the resilient members, or both. The presence of the central member or surrounding member acts to inhibit excessive deformations of the resilient members through contact forces. This construction provides a strong and flexible structure that can be incorporated with robots, orthopedic braces, and other devices.