How to Challenge and Claim a Gym in Pokémon Go

Gyms are an integral part of the Pokémon Go experience, allowing trainers to battle, complete raids, and take over these key locations. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of challenging and claiming a Gym in Pokémon Go.

Why Challenge a Gym in Pokémon Go?

Challenging a Gym can be an exciting way to test your skills, earn rewards, and contribute to your team's dominance. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting out, taking over a Gym can be a great way to level up and improve your Pokémon.

How to Challenge a Gym in Pokémon Go

Before you can challenge a Gym, you'll need to meet a few requirements. Here are the basics:

• Be at least Level 5
• Join one of the three teams: Mystic, Valor, or Instinct

While it's possible to challenge a Gym at Level 5, we recommend waiting until you reach Level 20. At this point, you'll have a stronger team of Pokémon and be better equipped to take on the challenges of Gym battling.

Challenging a Gym: Step-by-Step

Once you're ready to challenge a Gym, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you're within range of the Gym. You won't be able to challenge it if you're outside the radius ring.
2. Ensure the Gym is active. It can't be grey, hosting a raid, or taken over by Team Go Rocket.
3. Heal your team of Pokémon before battling the Gym.
4. Click on the Gym and choose to begin battling it.
5. Battle the Gym repeatedly, lowering the Prestige until the current team is ousted.
6. After the current team is defeated, you'll claim the Gym and have the opportunity to add your own Pokémon to defend it.

How to Claim the Gym

Claiming a Gym is a straightforward process:

1. Walk up to a gray-colored Gym.
2. Touch the Gym to enter it.
3. At the bottom of the screen, touch the Add Pokémon button.
4. Select a Pokémon to add to the Gym.

Once you've added your Pokémon to the Gym, you'll need to wait for new challengers to attempt to take it over. You can defend your Gym by healing your Pokémon with berries and earning rewards for your efforts.

Tips and Reminders

Here are a few things to keep in mind when challenging and claiming Gyms:

• You can only battle a Gym that belongs to a different team.
• You can only slot one Pokémon per Gym.
• Remote Raid passes don't work with Gym battles.
• You can earn up to 50 Poke Coins for defending your Gym.

With these tips and a little practice, you'll be well on your way to becoming a Pokémon Go Gym champion.

Take your Pokémon Go skills to the next level with our guide on how to make and use routes.