Spyce Pilates

As a lifelong athlete and wellness advocate, Jaqui Howard’s journey to entrepreneurship began with a passion for movement and a desire to build the kind of fitness space she couldn’t find elsewhere. This fall, Howard is set to open Spyce Pilates, a Black woman-owned boutique studio in the Twin Cities designed to feel like luxury, but with heart, warmth and accessibility at its core.

“From the moment people walk through the door, I want them to feel seen, cared for and welcomed,” said Howard, who describes her studio as a space that balances high-end design with down-to-earth community vibes. “It’s more than just a workout. It’s an experience.”

Spyce Pilates will offer membership-based classes, drop-ins, and class packs, with a schedule that includes mornings, evenings and weekends — ideal for working professionals. A soft opening is planned for October, with a grand opening celebration set for Nov. 15.

Howard, originally from Chicago, studied food science at Michigan State University and has long been immersed in the world of health and wellness. As an undergraduate, she co-founded Black Girl Fitness, a student-run organization offering affordable workout classes, nutrition education, and access to mental health resources. The program, launched in 2017, is still active on multiple campuses.

When Howard relocated to Minneapolis post-college, she found it difficult to build community, especially as a Black woman new to the area. After being laid off from her corporate job at Target during the Covid-19 pandemic, she began working the front desk at a Club Pilates studio in Eagan.

“I started taking classes because I had a free membership, and I fell in love,” she said. “Pilates is low-impact but so effective, especially for athletes like me who’ve dealt with wear and tear on their bodies.”

Encouraged by a manager to pursue teacher training, Howard hesitated at first due to the cost; certification programs often start around $5,000. But when the studio offered her a full scholarship, she took the leap.

“Everything just started falling into place. I saw the gap… There weren’t many people who looked like me in those spaces,” Howard said. “I didn’t feel represented, and I knew others didn’t either.”

In 2023, she hosted her first Pilates pop-up event, Pilates and Parfaits, which sold out in 24 hours. From there, things took off: brand collaborations with Lululemon, invitations to teach at national events like the Academy Awards, and partnerships with organizations including Jack and Jill of America and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Now, Spyce Pilates is her next step, and her biggest one yet. “I never thought I’d open a studio this early in my career, but my community believed in me before I did,” said Howard. “At some point you have to take the leap even when it feels risky.”

Howard envisions Spyce Pilates as a bridge between fitness, community, and cultural inclusion. She plans to grow beyond the studio, with long-term goals that include creating affordable Pilates teacher training, hosting wellness retreats, and organizing a Black health and wellness festival in Minneapolis.

“There’s no reason we can’t have what L.A. or New York has here in the Twin Cities,” she said, referring to wellness spaces with diverse leadership. “We deserve that kind of energy. I want to help create it.”

For updates and class information, follow @spycepilates on Instagram.