Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 768.2	$ 779.5	$ 2,368.4	$ 2,451.3
Cost of Sales	571.7	586.9	1,763.2	1,841.0
Gross Profit	196.5	192.6	605.2	610.3
Operating Expenses	117.7	109.3	369.4	344.6
Income From Operations	78.8	83.3	235.8	265.7
Interest Expense	10.6	10.6	31.9	33.6
Interest Income	1.3	0.4	3.1	1.2
Income Before Taxes	69.5	73.1	207.0	233.3
Provision For Income Taxes	15.0	17.9	48.2	63.9
Net Income	54.5	55.2	158.8	169.4
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1.9	0.9	5.6	3.7
Net Income Attributable to Regal Beloit Corporation	$ 52.6	$ 54.3	$ 153.2	$ 165.7
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Regal Beloit Corporation:
Basic	$ 1.17	$ 1.30	$ 3.40	$ 3.98
Assuming Dilution	$ 1.16	$ 1.29	$ 3.38	$ 3.94
Cash Dividends Declared	$ 0.20	$ 0.19	$ 0.59	$ 0.56
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding (in millions):
Basic	45.1	41.7	45.0	41.7
Assuming Dilution	45.4	42.0	45.3	42.0