Gym meta

Team: Instinct/yellow
Level: 40
Battles won: 11,932
Hours defended: 2137

These are the defenders that I usually place in gyms:
2 L40 Blisseys, 2 L30+ Chanseys, 1 L38 BS Snorlax, 2 L35 Gardevoirs (C/DG and C/SB), 2 ~L30 Clefables, 1 L40 Dragonite

In Singapore, literally every gym is hardcore attack and GRB defence just like what is usually only seen before EX raids in many areas. As for gym density, most S2 L14 cells have 3 gyms.

The areas which I play in are very competitive with all 3 colours. Blue is the strongest in most areas, though the degree varies. In one of my gym areas, yellow is very close behind and red is the underdog.

However, there is 1 particular “yellow stronghold” gym that is yellow 50% of the time. Sometimes it stays yellow for over 24 hours without changing colour, thanks to shavers and GRB feeders. I have over 6 days defended at that gym, double of almost every other gym in my regular play areas, besides the 2 gyms opposite my house. This gym was also one of my fastest gold gyms, because I can see it from my house (but only barely), and I often raided T5s there because I often had gym control bonus.

I still power up defenders and even use a bit of rare candy on Chansey, previously Snorlax too. While some people might think it's a waste when it could go to legendaries instead, I think it's worth it because they do help me defend gyms, for gold gym badges and pokecoins.

The gym meta for me is basically getting gold gym badges. I have 14 gold now, and aim to get 30 by the end of this year. Getting gold gym badges is quite different in different areas depending on the area's domination.
In areas where yellow stands no chance, it's basically battle after battle. And even then, I usually use Lugia and Kyogre instead of Machamp after going through the Blissey. I also join in the fun when the (dominating) blue players there attack GRB-defended red gyms.

I do agree that the gym meta is quite shallow in general, and completely non-existent in many areas. But I still enjoy it for a few reasons, and because I somehow enjoy smashing normal-types with Machamps.

On the contrary, the raid meta here is simply ganging on raid bosses with 20 players, with little to no strategy. Powering up raid counters makes little to no difference 95% of the time, but I still do it for the 5% of the time it makes a big difference and it can save a raid pass. I still participate in solo raids (and I'm intending to try soloing a Confusion Alakazam soon)

Do you still participate in the gym meta, or go for gold gym badges? Or do you prefer the raid meta?