Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Regular Member [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Jun. 30, 2012 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Mar. 31, 2012 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Jun. 30, 2011 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Mar. 31, 2011 Restricted Member [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 New York Sports Clubs [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Philadelphia Sports Clubs [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Boston Sports Clubs [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Washington Sports Clubs [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Switzerland Clubs [Member] Integer	Sep. 30, 2012 Partly Owned Clubs [Member] Integer	Mar. 31, 2012 Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Difference [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Difference [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Difference [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 As Previously Filed [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 As Previously Filed [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 As Previously Filed [Member]
Revision to Deferred Tax Assets Net, Current															$ 20,609	$ 20,218	$ 9,776	$ 20,609	$ 20,218	$ 9,776
Revision to Total Assets, Current															80,839	84,917	74,609	20,609	20,218	9,776	60,230	64,699	64,833
Revision to Deferred Tax Assets Net, Noncurrent															16,994	19,782	32,107	(20,609)	(20,218)	(9,776)	37,603	40,000	41,883
Revision to Total Assets, Noncurrent															433,285	449,542	464,166				433,285	449,542	464,166
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Stores	160								108	6	25	18	3	2
Average Member Life		28	28	27	25	28	27	27
Increase Decrease Revenue Net			34
Increase Decrease Net Income Loss			$ 17