Star Opinion: Why businesses are shaping up for 2016

Now businesses across Sheffield City Region have woken up to this and are placing employees’ health at the front and centre of their business development plans.

Today’s free Business Weekly pullout is packed with examples of some of the region’s top businesses prioritising their employees’ health and seeing excellent results.

“Healthy workers are more motivated to stay in work, recover from sickness quicker and are at less risk of long-term illness,” says Team Activ’s Darren Padgett.

The company runs activities for the likes of Rolls-Royce, PwC and Irwin Mitchell.

We need to champion this and encourage other firms to take up the same positive attitude.

It’s no secret that we’re facing an ever-growing obesity crisis in the UK – and, indeed, in South Yorkshire.

Obesity and obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes cost the NHS billions to treat.

One set of Government figures put that cost at £6.3billion in 2015.

At a time when hospitals are struggling with ever-dwindling budgets – and doctors are on the picket lines battling over a pay dispute – it is not a good time to be spending ever more cash on an obesity crisis.

These firms have stepped up to the plate to make a difference, and not only has it benefited their employees, but it has likely helped their bottom line too thanks to reduced illness and increased productivity.

We’re calling on businesses across the region to adopt the same approach, to do their bit to encourage their workforce to get fitter and more active.

Of course, anyone looking to shape up and get fitter will have a gym in mind.

We’re offering you the chance to nominate your Gym Of The Year 2016 in order to highlight the top spots across Sheffield to work out.

For more information to help us champion the very best exercise centres to help encourage more people to get active this year click here.