While some see Boston as the birthplace of hundreds of high-tech and life sciences products, there’s another side to our city’s entrepreneurial spirit: Inventors like Anel Bellevue who are creating new products for the consumer market.
Author: Photo: Courtesy NOUFLEXClients work out on NOUFLEX with Anel Bellevue.
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Visit NOUFLEX’s website: http://www.noufle…
Bellevue, founder and CEO of NOUFLEX, is a certified personal trainer, women’s fitness specialist and senior fitness specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, with a bachelor of science in exercise kinesiology from UMass-Amherst. While studying at UMass, Bellevue specialized in total body makeovers, weight management, injury prevention, fall prevention, corrective exercise and functional training.
After working for more than a decade as a personal trainer, Bellevue knew his clients wanted a fitness tool that was easy to use, safe and effective. Many wanted to work out at home, but didn’t have the space or the budget for large equipment. And home systems were often flimsy or just didn’t work.
Bellevue felt there had to be a way to do more with less.
His NOUFLEX System started with a baseboard made of solid wood. At just five-eighths of an inch thick, the baseboard is durable, yet lightweight and easily portable. It fits easily under a sofa or behind a bookcase for storage. Bellevue added ten shock-absorbent feet to support the baseboard. The feet are made of Sorbothane®, a material NASA uses to protect shuttle cameras from shock. A collection of accessories that comes with the baseboard allows users to perform more than 200 exercises.
With the creation of NOUFLEX, Bellevue stepped into a new skill area.
“I had to become an expert in business and manufacturing. I’ve had to learn about how companies bring products to market,” says Bellevue. “It’s been an interesting and educational journey, but one that is gratifying when we get feedback from people in our classes who are using the equipment for the first time.” Bellevue also decided he wanted NOUFLEX System parts to be made in the United States, requiring careful attention to sourcing of products and materials.
In addition to the at-home NOUFLEX System, Bellevue and NOUFLEX offer group training and personal training, on-site at a new studio located in the Tony Williams Dance Studio in Jamaica Plain and in homes all over the Boston area.
NOUFLEX System fitness equipment and NOUFLEX group and personal training help clients increase strength, endurance, balance and flexibility, bridging the gap between strength training, yoga and Pilates. Rather than targeting the typical ripped “muscle heads” at the local gym, Bellevue is delivering a fitness system for everyone, with a particular focus on providing a welcoming environment for women and older adults who may be apprehensive about joining a health club.
“I founded NOUFLEX to bring change to the health and fitness industry,” Bellevue says. “Less than 20 percent of the U.S. population is physically active on a daily basis. I am doing my part to increase that percentage. After all, strength is a beautiful thing!”
