Home > Running Gear

Innovation: the washing machine treadmill

laundry treadmill

Not having clean clothes may no longer be an excuse for skipping a run in the future thanks to Si Hyeong Ryu’s entry in the 2014 Electrolux Design Lab competition. The student designer from South Korea has developed a washing machine/treadmill hybrid.

“The Wheel” as it is called, essentially looks like a hamster wheel, with washing compartments for clothing. The kinetic energy of the runner spins the wash cycle and Ks can be stored for future use.

As of now, “The Wheel” is only a design – there are still quite a few kinks to work out. Judging from the pictures, the machine would be pretty massive—where would you keep it? The design includes solar panels, indicating that the laundry treadmill may possibly be an outdoor machine. While there is a screen included in the design, it is unclear whether one would be able to watch tv on it. The amount of laundry that can be done at one time is also in question.

While there is work to be done, the efficiency and eco-friendliness of the idea are definitely appealing. Who wouldn’t want to knock some of their chores of their list while fitting in a workout?

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget