Rainbow Games 2026 gave Aucklanders a taste of one of its newest sports this morning, with a successful Functional Fitness preview showing that you certainly do not need to be a gym junkie to get involved.
Held at 312 Fortitude in Onehunga on Saturday 15 August, the special one-hour session invited participants to put Functional Fitness through its paces ahead of the sport making its Rainbow Games debut this October.
The morning was designed to capture exactly what the Rainbow Games is about: giving something new a go, challenging yourself at your own level and enjoying sport in an inclusive, welcoming environment.
With the session suitable for a range of fitness levels, participants were encouraged to work at their own pace while getting a feel for the movements and challenges they can expect when Functional Fitness joins the Rainbow Games programme.
So, what exactly is Functional Fitness?
Functional Fitness combines strength, cardiovascular exercise and practical movements that use the body in different ways. Workouts can incorporate exercises such as squats, lunges, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, with movements and intensity adapted to suit different abilities.
Rather than requiring competitors to arrive with years of gym experience, the Rainbow Games event is designed to give people at different fitness levels the opportunity to take part and challenge themselves.
Functional Fitness at Rainbow Games 2026 will be delivered by 312 Fortitude, the Onehunga fitness community that hosted Saturday’s preview at its Malvern Road facility.
The successful session offered participants the chance to experience the sport in the same supportive spirit it will bring to the Games in October, whether they are experienced athletes, regular gym-goers or people simply looking for a new way to get active.
Rainbow Games returns this October
Rainbow Games 2026 will take place across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 29 October to 1 November, bringing together rainbow communities, allies, whānau and inclusive sports clubs from across Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific.
The event is Aotearoa’s only community-led multi-sport festival created by and for rainbow communities and allies. Following the success of the inaugural Games in 2024, organisers expect more than 1,300 participants this year.
Functional Fitness is one of 13 sports on the 2026 programme, alongside Badminton, Basketball, Football, Kickball, Indoor Bowls, Netball, Running, Swimming, Ten Pin Bowling, Tennis, Touch and Volleyball. For those looking for something less competitive, the programme also includes Get Active options Yoga and Zumba.
Rainbow Games Chair Tux Hika says the event is about creating opportunities for rainbow communities and allies to experience sport in ways that feel inclusive and accessible.
“Rainbow Games has quickly become one of the most important opportunities for rainbow communities to come together through sport, whether that’s competing seriously, trying something new for the first time, or simply finding a sense of belonging,” says Hika.
“The response to the inaugural Games showed there’s a real appetite for inclusive sporting experiences in Aotearoa, and we’re excited to welcome even more participants in 2026.”
You do not need to already belong to a club or have a full team assembled to get involved. Participants aged 18 and over can register individually or as part of a team, with support available to connect solo players with teams. The Games cater for everyone from first-timers and social participants through to experienced competitive athletes.
Saturday’s Functional Fitness preview showed just how accessible that philosophy can be in practice, bringing people together to move, sweat, challenge themselves and, most importantly, give something new a go.
