With the return of Mr Motivator on UK television, surely it's only a matter of time before Get In Shape Girl is back on the scene, Well, for the sake of future generations, let's hope so! It doesn't take a genius to see how kids bodies have changed over two decades. Take away Get In Shape Girl and the fact children used to be able to play outside, and add in gallons of junk food, and many kids have turned into something resembling Weebles.
Get in Shape Girl was an American idea based on the aim to get kids fit. The idea was basically to package a workout for little girls with a kit that included a cassette tape (remember those?) and a book (and remember those?). It came out in the 80s, at a time when little girls held the Majorettes up as their heroines, so was a sure-fire hit. And who could forget that catchy theme tune for the advert: "Get in Shape Girl, it's so appealing, Get In Shape Girl, you know the feeling!"
The tape explained what exercises to do, while the book showed you exactly how to do it. And do it in style! As there were several Get In Shape Girl accessories available, including leg-warmers Jane Fonda would have been proud of, an excercise band, child-sized dumbbells, a skipping rope, a rhythmic ribbon and even wristbands and a water bottle. The reverse of the tape was just music, so creative types could make up their own exercise routines once they'd exhausted the ones provided.
Many afternoons were spent with a gaggle of girls getting fit in the front room - it was huge amounts of fun. And Hasbro Toys did more than their fair share of helping create some future Olympics gymnasts (well, we'd like to think so). So, Arbor Toys (the current license holders for this toy and others like Disney princess Dress Up and McDonald's Cash Register) bring it back - and a blue version for boys! We might have the Nintendo Wii Fit these days... but it doesn't come with leg-warmers.
Do You Remember Get In Shape Girl?
Do You Remember Get In Shape Girl?