Fitness Centers

The Bittner Center

The R. Richard Bittner Athletic & Recreation Center is a 46,000-square-foot, leading-edge fitness facility that opened in August 2017. The Bittner Center offers:

• A skywalk that provides indoor access throughout the year
• New athletic equipment throughout the facility including free weights, resistance machines and functional fitness equipment
• High-tech cardio equipment equipped with Internet, Dish TV and Preva, a program that allows users to track and log their workouts
• State-of-the-art group fitness areas, including a digital fitness room where users can choose from a wide variety of on-demand fitness programming
• A fully-equipped outdoor fitness area
• A three-lane indoor track 
• Two athletic courts equipped for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and more
• Modern locker rooms with showers, restrooms and changing areas
• A varied schedule of fitness classes, intramural leagues and club sporting events 
• A Bittner Center Photo Gallery is available on SmugMug.
• You can also watch the R. Richard Bittner Athletic & Recreation Center-Dedication Ceremony video (36:24)

Access

The Bittner Center is open to all Palmer students, faculty, staff, their spouses and their children between the age of 16 and 26. Children under 16 aren’t permitted in the facility. Retired faculty and their spouses also are welcome to use the Bittner Center.

All users will be required to scan their Palmer ID badge at the main desk, located on the Bittner Center lower level. To obtain a Palmer ID badge, spouses, children and retired faculty members must fill out a request form and have a photo taken. Forms are available at the Bittner Center main desk. Upon approval, a badge will be issued.

Bittner Center users aren’t permitted to park in the Visitor Parking Lot, but may use other lots on campus to which they have access. 

Questions? Contact Ron O’Brien at 563-884-5856 or ron.obrien@palmer.edu.

The Bittner Center’s hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday. Users must review and comply with the Bittner Center rules and guidelines. The rules and guidelines are posted at the main desk and will be strictly enforced.

Bittner Center Break Hours  

Central Pool Hours
The last day Central High School pool will be open in the evening for the Palmer community is May 30.
NEW – Summer hours at the pool.  Central High School pool will be open beginning June 11 for the Palmer Community, Monday through Thursday  from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.  There are no evening hours during the summer.

^{Classes, Leagues & Club Sports}

Current Fitness Classes (.pdf download)
Men’s & Women’s Rugby Schedule

For information on extramural sports clubs, visit our Clubs & Organizations page.

For information about intramurals, visit our IM Leagues page

On-Campus Fitness Center

The West campus fitness center is available to Palmer students and their immediate families.

For information on extramural sports clubs, visit our Clubs & Organizations page.

Questions? Contact Michael Crump at studentservices.ca@palmer or 408-944-6122.

Port Orange Family YMCA

The Florida campus community may utilize the nearby YMCA fitness center.

For information on recreation clubs, visit our Clubs & Organizations page.

Questions? Contact Jason Brewer at jason.brewer@palmer.edu or 386-763-2781.