Gymnasium

Gyms (ジム Gym) are located throughout various regions in the Pokémon Universe, run by its top member, a Gym Leader. Pokémon Gyms serve a couple of different purposes, one is to help in the training of a Trainers Pokémon. These members strengthen their Pokémon inside the Gym with the help of the Gym Leader, and will challenge anyone looking to battle the Gym Leader.

The second purpose is to test the skills of traveling Trainers looking to enter into the regional League. In order to test their skills, a Gym Leader will engage in a Pokémon battle with the Trainer. Should the challenger win, they will receive a Badge which shows that they have defeated that Gym Leader.

Gyms usually specialize in a certain type of Pokémon, meaning that all members carry a team of Pokémon with one common type. Additionally, most Gyms contain puzzles which a trainer must bypass in order to reach the Gym Leader. This is more a common factor in the Game series rather than the Pokémon Anime series.

Trivia

• The majority of Pokemon regions have Rock-type Pokemon for the first gym, as they are easiest to battle because two of the starter Pokemon can deal super-effective damage to Rock-type Pokemon.
  • The only regions not to have the first Gym consist of Rock-type Pokemon is Johto and Unova, the reason for Johto was because its Gyms consisted of types that were not used in Kanto.