Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 01, 2012
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 55.2	$ 169.4	$ 124.3	$ 47.5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Change in pension benefits, net of tax effects of $2.4 million and $(2.0) million for the three months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, and $1.5 million and $(1.3) million for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively	3.9	2.4	(2.2)	(3.3)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20.0	13.3	(32.7)	(51.2)
Change in fair value of hedging activities, net of tax effects of $6.2 million and $(31.4) million for the three months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, and $11.8 million and $(30.3) million for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively	10.2	19.3	(49.5)	(51.2)
Hedging activities reclassified into earnings from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax effects of $3.0 million and $(1.3) million for the three months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, and $8.6 million and $(6.6) million for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively.	4.9	14.0	(10.8)	(2.1)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	39.0	49.0	(95.2)	(107.8)
Comprehensive Income	94.2	218.4	29.1	(60.3)
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1.7	4.1	4.9	1.6
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Regal Beloit Corporation	$ 92.5	$ 214.3	$ 24.2	$ (61.9)