Barbie Fitness 101: Celeb doll picked up by Universal Pictures for 'Barbie Movie'

Barbie's new movie has high expectations based on the celeb doll's
history. Above is a Barbie-inspired MAC Collection ad, an example
of the doll's iconic culture inspiration. Photo: MAC

She's the most fair of them all. She doesn't need diet pills, tricked-out trainers or celebrity plastic surgery to look great. Barbie, to play herself in her new Barbie movie, is forever young and fit.

Universal Pictures released their intent to set Barbie up on the big screen in a live-action film based around the doll and her life drama (i.e. Ken, etc).

Executives aren't expected to be disappointed with her looks, despite aging, and are said to instead expect a hit from the flim.

Based on Barbie's last 50 years of success with her fans and continued ranking as the top toy for girls in the U.S., Barbie's celebrity status with tots is said to back the film's high expectations.

Of the doll, Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger says Barbie is the best.

“Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands. So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture."

He adds, “We’re grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity. Barbie may be the most popular girl in the world, and has always been a wonderfully aspirational figure, so we must do her proud.”

Recent scandels around the celeb doll have included her choice of tattoo on her back with the word "Ken" in "tramp-stamp" position.

While Barbie didn't comment, the media continues to harp on her setting of unrealistic ideals to her fans regarding body image.

Barbie's portrayed human height of 5 feet 9 inches tall gives her unrealistic, human measurements of a 36-inch chest, 18-inch waist and 33-inch hips. Megan Fox is tiny even at a 22-inch waist and Barbie reportedly doesn't even do Pilates.

In 1965, in her role of Slumber Party Barbie, Barbie came out with a book entitled "How to Lose Weight" which advised readers of the following: "Don't eat." The doll also displayed her weight scales which read "110 lbs."

About 30 years later, Barbie experienced slight weight gain when Mattel expanded her waist to give her a more "average" look.

While Barbie continues to appeal to mass controversy, it's a known fact that Barbie is anything but lazy.

In an attempt to change her mid-1960's "Don't Eat" image, Barbie was featured in her own workout video in 1992. Barbie remained focused on helping children, ages 5-11 (parental supervision advised) get dancing in a stop-motion film asking her audience, "Are you ready to workout with me and my friends?" 

Celebrating group fitness and sporting Jane Fonda attire, the star had obviously changed her ways about smart weight loss, encouraging exercise over not eating entirely. In the video, Barbie leads children through a workout series to better their body weight and heart health, nudging them along with her giddy voice effects and skinny legs.

In recent acting portrayals in cartoons and in other human-representations, Barbie has not veered far from recent character roles of cheery, go-lucky types and is expected to be cast in much of the same role for the new Barbie movie.

To see clips from Barbie workout videos, click here. 

Photo (Above, Left): Dance Workout Barbie (1992)

YouTube Video: Dance Workout with Barbie (1992)