Ernst Eiselen

His early studies began in Berlin, and he was one of the earliest and most capable pupils of the gymnast Jahn.

During the War of the Sixth Coalition (1812-1815), he went with Jahn to Breslau to join the Lützow Free Corps, however his ill-health disqualified him for military duty, and he was persuaded to stay behind and direct exercise at Jahn's Hasenheide exercise field (German: Turnplatz).

[1] When the Hasenheide Turnplatz was closed in the spring of 1819, Eiselen became a teacher of gymnastics in the Plamann school for boys.

Two years later, he received permission to open a private gym that offered instruction in gymnastics.

In May 1828, he opened a gym with indoor and outdoor equipment and had a vast number of pupils.