Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 32,790	$ 32,799	$ 32,794
New York Sports Clubs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	31,403	31,403	31,403
Goodwill	31,403	31,403	31,403
Boston Sports Clubs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	15,766	15,766	15,766
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(15,766)	(15,766)	(15,766)
Switzerland Clubs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(9)	5
Goodwill, Gross	1,259	1,254	1,254
Goodwill	1,250	1,259	1,254
Outlier Clubs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	3,982	3,982	3,982
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(3,845)	(3,845)	(3,845)
Goodwill	$ 137	$ 137	$ 137

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details