It's all part of the idea that their role is to mentor upcoming trainers, too. Gym leaders, I think, are supposed to be role models for up and coming children and novice trainers who are entering the world.<br/><br/>Besides, I always thought it would be pretty cool to have a sort of a post game 'gym leader' rush mode, where you face all 8 gym leaders in a gauntlet without being able to heal when they use their 'for realzies' teams. I think that the closest thing I've gotten to having that happen is the world stage in B/W 2, which I'm mad hyped to get to.