Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@julia_vins

The pretty Russian bodybuilder dubbed – Muscular Barbie – has shared snaps of what she used to look like as a skinny teen before taking up weightlifting.

Angel-faced Julia Vince has become an online sensation with just under a million Instagram followers since taking up bodybuilding in 2012 when she was 15 years old.

The pretty 23-year-old from the city of Saratov in the south-western Russian region of Saratov Oblast has built up such a bulky frame that she has also been called the female Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Julia said that she will forever be grateful to her former trainer for turning her into a powerful bodybuilder.

She is well known for her angelic facial features and muscly body, and boasts a huge online following that she recently shared some ‘before’ snaps with to show off her dramatic transformation.

The Muscular Barbie, who also has a passion for makeup and beauty makeovers, said she used to be a shy teenager with self-esteem issues.

Julia first joined a gym to improve her confidence and develop a fuller figure.

Her boyfriend Sergey, who trains at the same gym as Julia, admires her strong spirit and also supports her online ‘influencer’ activities.

However, reports said that Julia’s family are slightly concerned that she has taken her passion too far and is bulking up too much.

Despite any criticism from friends and family, the 23-year-old is becoming a huge role model for thousands of young people looking to take up sport or transform their skinny frames to feel more confident.

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