I was in desperate need of a personal trainer, after I realized I could not run around the block to my house in an emergency to get to my car to take my dog to the vet as he had passed out.  I almost passed out trying to run half way around the block, with my heart about to leap out of my chest.  So, I found Pamela on Yelp - after 6 sessions with her - my body has really changed - I can do cardio exercise for 1 hour and not pass out, I actually have a butt (given - I'm Asian - and most Asians have really flat asses), I have some not-yet-Madonna-but getting there definition in my Olive Oyl arms, my abs are starting to look defined and not soft and squishy like marshmallow, and I might not be embarrassed to don a bikini this summer.  She's patient and encouraging and realistic, she keeps me motivated, and with the progress I've made - I think I'll be using her services for a long, long time.

- Audra E.

Pamela has been my trainer for a year and a half now, I hired her for my wedding and kept her for six months since. She got my body re-shaped. I found my waist, butt cheeks and other contours that I had no idea I could have. She kicks my butt and makes me laugh in the meantime. She's so interested in your life, your whole way of life, so that she can help you pinpoint what it will take to get where you want with your body.

- Mira B.

After seeing a very unflattering picture of myself dancing I realized all those extra servings and sugary sweets (my biggest weakness) were finally starting to show. I hadn't worked out seriously since before college and to be honest I was just plain lazy. Any time I did strenuous physical activity I just thought, "Good Lord, I am going to die or at least pass out." It was not pretty.

That was about five months ago and I am now: 17 pounds lighter, 2 dress sizes smaller, and when someone says drop and give me twenty I can drop and give them twenty. Working out with Pamela has been life changing. From being a couch potato to running my first 5K, I can honestly say she whipped me into pretty damn good shape. Granted the process was painful at first, I am now a fitness convert. Pamela keeps the workouts fresh by changing it up with boot camp drills, weight training, and the occasional downward dog. I love choosing my new exercise to hate (which usually involves the abs) and then feeling like a rock star when it becomes easier for me. And while I used to be afraid to say an exercise was "easy" I know P will turn up the heat just enough to give me a good workout. It is by no means a walk in the park but she's encouraging and makes you feel kick ass the whole time.

And for the ladies, no more unpleasant trips to the fitting room. Trying on clothes is fun again. I just dumped about half of my wardrobe and I am ready to work that size 4. Maintaining the loss is not going to be easy but I am pretty confident with the training Pamela has given me. And when I feel like I need a new challenge or if I slip into my old habits I will be back in gym with Pamela before you know it .

- Alanna T.

I quit my job...and then began to realize the impact of two years of long hours and long commutes: 18 lbs, a few inches on my waist and a fraction of the cardio ability I had before that job.  

Enter Pamela.  Thanks to completely random chance, we met on the very day I was lamenting over whether I should get a trainer, check into a fat farm, or just buy a new wardrobe.  I committed to 10 weeks of training with her 2x per week.  

Now, I've spent a lot of time in the gym over the years.  Sometimes with workout partners, oftentimes solo.  Sometimes feeling like I'm getting a good workout, oftentimes just not really motivated...even after I got through the hard part of dragging my ass all the way there.  But training with Pamela has been an incredible experience.  I have never left a session with her feeling like I didn't get a workout.  By the same token, I never felt like I over-did it and couldn't move the next day.  

Pamela does an excellent job of mixing up the sessions so they provide a balanced workout of arms, legs, chest, abs (ugh, I hated abs), etc.  And she keeps you moving through it, so you keep the cardio up through a good part of the session as well.  

And the knowledge that you've got a training session session every Tues/Thurs really does make you think twice about that extra dessert, or the extra cocktail (no, I didn't cut alcohol out completely, but I did significantly cut back...which helped the budget for her sessions).  After a few workouts with her, I started to hear her voice every time I thought about ordering something I shouldn't.  Sometimes I even listened to it.  :)

But at the end of the day, it's all about results, right?  Well, in the 10 weeks, I took off 10 lbs, 4" off my gut and 2" off my waist.  I've gone from 2 mile runs to 10 mile runs, and am feeling much better about myself.  

I'm trying to maintain where I'm at on my own now (and maybe take off a few more lbs), but if I start slipping, I'm right back in the gym with her!

- Dave S.

She's EVIL . . . and MEAN! She takes pleasure torturing people. After one particularly brutal ab session, I even saw her smile with sense of pride as I lay on the floor curled in fetal position. BUT I LOVE HER! There is nothing like a 5'4", weighs nothing, super hottie to bring you whimpering to your breaking point.(Ii know, I know . . . I have issues.) For real, though, Pamela rocks my world. The first session begins with a full body measuring upon which she assesses future progress (fyi . . . she's totally anal with the tape measure). Then each session is a super unique mixture of stretching, balance exercises, strengthening and gossip. She is quite knowledgeable and is very motivating. I go three times a week and have seen radical changes in my flexibility and muscle tone. I cannot recommend Pamela highly enough . . .

- Kenneth S.

Hi, I'm lazy and generally uninformed about proper diet and exercise. Yet I want to be in shape and healthy forever. How do I resolve this misalignment of goals and actions, you ask? Do I spend $50 per month to run on a treadmill or load up a barbell with an absurd amount of weight and grunt through 2 reps of bench press? No sir, tried that and it doesn't work. If you want to get results from your workouts, stop throwing away money on a gym membership you never use and put the money toward a personal trainer. Good trainers provide variety, motivation, and correct weight and technique - the ingredients us normal people are missing when we try to workout alone. I've been training twice a week at home with Pamela for the past year, and the results have been far better than I could have ever achieved alone. She continually finds new and interesting ways to make me hate her - all to the benefit of my abs and other core muscles. And Pamela's knowledge of nutrition is an excellent complement to her workouts. I have the will to be fit, Pamela and her evil mind have the means to get me there.

- Steven H.

I've tried working with personal trainers at gyms in the past, but I've never been very impressed with their performance. After a few great workouts with Pamela, I hired her to design a home gym and order the equipment for me as well. Pamela is encouraging and informative, explaining the benefits or purpose of each exercise. She pays close attention to my form and modifies her exercise plan so it is always challenging. Her sessions always end with assisted stretches, which feel great after a workout. My experience with Pamela has been awesome and I'm in a lot better shape now.

- Thomas M.

I've been working with Pamela for almost a year now, and the experience has been great.  The training is focused on the areas that I'm weakest, but nothing is left out.  She also has a great deal of dietary knowledge and can help you combine diet and exercise.  She gives a challenging workout without going too easy or too rough.  Very responsive and a great person!

- Ken B.

Pamela Burdak is my personal trainer at SF Symmetry. She's knowledgable and encouraging, and her rates are quite reasonable. She works at various locations around the City, by appointment. She's not one of those trainers who go easy on you in hopes that you'll book more sessions with her. Every session is a complete, kick-ass workout that leaves you feeling sleeker and stronger. I recommend her to everybody I know.

- Kristen Q.