Aerobic exercise was big in the 80's.
Oscar winner Jane Fonda puts out an exercise book & album, and starts a new trend. Hyper-active Richard Simmons spins out of recurring appearances on General Hospital and into his own syndicated series. Olympic skating champion Linda Fratianne swapped her skates for leotards and tights, and followed Fonda up the album charts and into the hearts of not just young women, but teenage boys.
The Peanuts kids tried it in a commercial for Cheerios. ABC signed Olympic gymnastics champion Mary Lou Retton to do a series of interstitals (ABC Fun Fit). It was inevitable that someone would market an exercise kit for young girls.
Enter Hasbro.
The folks behind Lite Brite, GI Joe, & My Little Pony, in addition to being the American home of the Transformers, introduced Get in Shape Girl sometime around 1985.
However, it didn't last. Hasbro gave up after a couple of years, and the license ended up with Arbor Toys about 20 years later.
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