Meet Killeen’s First Black Woman to Open a Pilates Studio

The more the city of Killeen continues to grow and transform into a next-level community, the more it truly makes your heart smile. I remember a time when downtown wasn’t always spoken about in the most positive way, but now residents and individuals are beginning to realize something I saw years ago: the city of Killeen has the potential to be great—and it will be great.

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Killeen’s First Black-Owned Pilates Studio is Officially Here

Developments are happening all around the city that you wouldn’t have even dreamed of 20 years ago, including the first-ever Black-owned Pilates studio, The Pilates Barre. Meet Morgan Cooley, owner and founder of Pilates Barre. From the moment you meet her, you can feel the positivity radiating off of her. Her smile is infectious, and her bubbly, can-do attitude is something the city of Killeen was missing—and now truly appreciates.

The Woman Making Fitness History in Killeen, TX

Morgan is passionate about building diversity, inclusivity, and celebrating others while empowering the community and reminding us that health truly is wealth. She is a woman who saw a vision not only for herself, but for others, and decided she would be the one to make the change. Period. Now, a quick disclaimer—don’t let the smile fool you. Cooley is a powerhouse when it comes to Pilates. Not only is she deeply knowledgeable, but she will absolutely sculpt your body with tough love and discipline. Morgan is a tough cookie for sure! When speaking with Morgan, she shared that she has always believed in the city and what it could become, even when others didn’t. “We were told the Killeen demographic wouldn’t support Pilates studios—yet here we are,” she said.

Your New Favorite Workout Spot Just Opened in Killeen

Morgan went on to explain that she intends to continue building, growing, and crushing every stereotype and limitation that has been assigned to us. She and her team are committed to making sure wellness celebrates everybody, not just the groups society has traditionally highlighted. “We believe wellness should feel accessible and welcoming to all,” she said. Pilates Barre is a community-first space where fitness and nutrition are only one part of the experience. Morgan and her team place equal emphasis on mental, physical, and emotional wellness. People may come for Morgan’s workouts, but they stay for the community—the sense of belonging and accountability. Her goal is to create a space that feels like a wellness hangout that just so happens to offer the best Pilates in the city. Morgan, you nailed it!