As attractive as those tight-fitting workout clothes might be, there's not much room to carry a notebook and pencil. With this in mind, Gym Technik created a digital tool that allows fitness buffs to track workouts and analyse their progress using something they're likely to have with them anyway: their phone.

Users can set up a Gym Technik account online at home, and then use their smartphone to access routines and data while at the gym, where they can also input data on weights, sets and reps, and track their performance with progress charts and graphs. Collected data can be submitted to Gym Technik's personal trainers for advice about achieving fitness goals, and users can access an extensive library of trainer-approved workouts. Gym Technik guarantees that its basic edition will remain free, but is working on a premium (paid) service.

While similar apps are available for the iPhone, there's still room for entrepreneurs to create mobile offerings beyond the App Store, helping consumers track and improve progress towards fitness or other goals, from weight loss and healthy eating to academic development and finance.

Website: www.gymtechnik.com
Contact: www.gymtechnik.com/support.aspx?mode=contact

Spotted by: Sharad Mohan

Back in 2006 we wrote about cadeaucode.nl, a Dutch site that lets mobile users send each other gifts by text message. Now from across the ocean comes KangoGift, a new site that enables similar capabilities.

Launched into beta last week, KangoGift has partnered with a variety of gift retailers starting in its home base of Harvard Square, Mass. Now anyone in the world can visit KangoGift.com to purchase a gift for a friend or loved one in that neck of the woods, providing that person's mobile number in the process. As soon as they place their order, a text voucher for that gift is delivered instantaneously to the recipient, who can then redeem it as soon as they choose. Real-world goods currently on offer through KangoGift include gourmet sweets, foods and flowers, but a selection of free, virtual gifts are available as well.

KangoGift hopes to expand throughout the US in the near future. Retailers of gifts and treats: start lining up now! ;-) And for more on real-time commerce, real-time marketing and real-time everything else, check out trendwatching.com's latest briefing on NOWISM.

Website: www.kangogift.com
Contact: inquiries@kangogift.com

There's little enough gratitude to go around during the best of times, let alone when everyone's being put upon by tough economic conditions. Following in the footsteps of hotel group Sage Hospitality, whose "Give a Day, Get a Night" program to reward volunteers we covered this summer, none other than Disney is gearing up to launch its own equivalent.

Much like Sage's effort, the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program aims to celebrate and inspire volunteerism. Specifically, Disney is working with HandsOn Network to highlight a variety of volunteer opportunities with participating organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Starting Jan. 1, those who contribute their time need only have it verified by HandsOn; then, in exchange, they'll get a voucher from Disney good for one day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park. Says Disney, "We want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service."

Since spending on travel and leisure activities is down, along with spending on pretty much everything else, it's a smart move by Disney (and, for those of you outside the US, one that's being heavily promoted through prime-time TV commercials). As laid out in our sister-site's briefing on Generation G, share some love now, and you could win hearts forever. And of course there are immediate bottom-line benefits, too: the entrance tickets may be free, but those volunteering visitors will still be buying food, drinks and merchandise at Disney's parks.

Website: disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day
Contact: home.disney.go.com/guestservices/contact

Aiming to set itself apart from all of the other gyms and health clubs in Australia, Jetts Gym offers cheaper memberships by cutting costs and shirking little-used or unnecessary services. Out went the exercise classes, since typically only 10% typically participate (according to Jetts), and the pool, sauna and fancy spa. Jetts Gyms are located in residential areas, close to members’ homes, encouraging people to change and shower at home and taking pressure off limited facilities at the gym. Personnel costs have also been cut by using full-time remote surveillance technology, meaning staff is only needed on site for the six busiest hours of the day.

Jetts does offer a service that most gyms don't, though: it's open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It's designed so that members can work out around busy schedules and night shifts, or can hit the gym when there won't be a crowd. By eliminating the fluffier gym facilities, Jetts is able to offer cheaper membership rates than most gyms. Annual memberships run at AUD 468, plus a card fee of AUD 19 and a registration fee of AUD 99.00. Members are able to use any of the club’s 35 gyms across Australia.

Following in the footsteps of airlines and hotels, Jetts serves as a reminder that practically any service can be distilled to its essential qualities and offered at a discounted rate. And if you’re not busy developing your own model from scratch, franchise opportunities at Jetts are currently up for grabs.

Website: www.jetts.com.au

Spotted by: Edward Baral

Fitness enthusiasts can already use their cell phones and the web to keep track of their progress toward their health goals, but typically such applications track a limited set of data or rely on accurate self-reporting. Fitbit, on the other hand, is a small device the user can wear around the clock for continuous, automatic and comprehensive fitness reporting.

The Fitbit Tracker can be clipped loosely on clothing or undergarments or worn directly on an included wristband. With a 3D motion sensor like that found in the Nintendo Wii, the Fitbit tracks the user's activity in three dimensions and converts that data into useful information. Calories burned, steps taken and distance traveled are all recorded by the Fitbit automatically, for example, as are sleep quality data such as how long it took the user to fall asleep, the number of times they woke up during the night and how long they were actually sleeping. A blue OLED display on the rechargeable device shows data about the user's overall activity level; in addition, any time he or she walks within 15 feet of the included wireless base station, data from the Fitbit is silently uploaded in the background to the Fitbit website. There, users can view detailed data about their fitness-related activities; they can also enter data about what they've eaten and participate in collaborative fitness goals with friends, family and co-workers. The complete Fitbit system, including tracker device, base station and software, is priced at USD 99.

California-based Fitbit is currently filling pre-orders, and will start filling new orders October 31st. Because of the necessary government certifications for wireless and product safety, however, it will initially ship only within the US. Fitbit does hope to enable international orders down the road—one to partner with and help make that happen...? (Related: Mobile apps hit the slopes.)

Website: www.fitbit.com
Contact: info@fitbit.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann