Our Story

Chicago Sports Institute

At CSI, we’re more than just a gym, we’re your teammate. Whether you’re chasing a championship, reclaiming your health, or redefining what’s possible for yourself, we’re here to walk that path with you.

CSI is a 14,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art training facility designed for one purpose: to get you results. Every element of our programming from body transformations to return-to-play protocols is based on proven systems, a detailed evaluation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

We serve results-driven individuals: athletes, professionals, and anyone ready to take control of their health and performance. Whether your goal is to gain strength, move pain-free, dominate your sport, or change your life, we’re ready when you are.

WHY CSI?

Because you deserve a team that cares deeply and leaves no stone unturned.

Chicago Sports Institute

From the moment you walk through our doors, you’re more than just a client, you’re part of our team. You're greeted by name. Your sessions are planned with intent. Your progress is tracked, evaluated, and adjusted in real time. And your struggles? We face them together, with care, strategy, and accountability.

Clients stay at CSI because they’ve found a partner. A confidant. Someone who believes in them and what’s possible when they’re fully supported and pushed the right way. We take pride in every session, every rep, and every result. We’re willing to have the hard conversations because we care deeply, and we challenge our clients because we know what they’re capable of, often before they know it themselves.

About Our Trainers

We develop world-class coaches.

CSI Education Books

At CSI, coaching is a profession, not a gig. Our trainers don’t chase session targets or sales quotas. Their single mission is to master their craft and deliver a return on investment to every client they serve.

We invest heavily in coach development. Before ever training a CSI client, each coach completes our rigorous 3-month Onboarding Program with our founder that includes extensive practical and theoretical education, multiple exams, and in-depth customer service training. From there, coaching development never stops. All coaches participate in weekly mentorship meetings, ongoing client reviews, weekly team meetings, our advanced 6-month Senior Coach Program, and ongoing education with some of the best minds in the industry.

When hiring we look for people who live to serve others and are committed to long-term excellence. Only about 1 in 100 applicants make it through. Because we don’t settle for average. We’re building a team of world-class coaches.

Our Culture

We are teammates on your journey to success.

At CSI, the energy is real. The intent is clear. And the environment is built to bring out your best.

We’re a high-performance team who leads with care. We greet every client with a warm smile and a sense of purpose. We prepare with detail. We train with intensity. And we hold ourselves and our clients to the highest standard.

We understand that stepping into the gym isn’t comfortable for everyone. That’s why we work hard to make it your favorite part of the day. We push. We support. We lead. And most importantly we care.

Welcome to the CSI family. Let’s get to work!

Culture
CSI Coach and Client discussion

Our Founder

DAVID HOLLINGER, OWNER & DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE

David Hollinger - Owner

David Hollinger, our owner and Director of Sports Performance, is a nationally certified strength coach and highly sought-after sports performance specialist. He has trained athletes from around the country who have competed in 21 different sports at the Olympic, collegiate, and professional levels, including the MLB, NHL, AHL, NFL, UFL and NBA.

David entered college as a baseball player, but a shoulder injury put an early end to his athletic career. Having experienced first-hand the need for high quality, knowledgeable strength coaching for athletes, he developed a passion for athletic development and enrolled in Hofstra University’s exercise science program. After graduating, David worked alongside several of the industry’s leading strength coaches, gaining valuable experience training some of the nation’s top athletes.

David holds several certifications, including from the Poliquin International Certification Program as a Level 3 National Coach and a Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist. He has become an expert in power development, improving throwing velocity, sprinting speed, body composition, corrective exercise prescription, and reducing injury potential.