Life Time Fitness 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1076195
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,014,939
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$1,779,437,157

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$9,175	$8,334
Accounts receivable, net	9,446	8,298
Center operating supplies and inventories	35,936	32,778
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,844	25,802
Deferred membership origination costs	9,051	9,945
Deferred income taxes	6,689	6,881
Income tax receivable	12,596	6,698
Total current assets	108,737	98,736
Property and equipment, net	2,417,931	2,147,627
Restricted cash	513	850
Deferred membership origination costs	6,039	5,210
Goodwill	61,101	49,195
Intangible assets, net	42,542	29,299
Other assets	44,755	42,684
Total assets	2,681,618	2,373,601
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	22,455	24,505
Current portion of financing lease obligation	1,474	1,231
Accounts payable	35,422	28,645
Construction accounts payable	31,972	47,342
Accrued expenses	70,578	67,435
Deferred revenue	38,652	34,875
Total current liabilities	200,553	204,033
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,178,455	824,093
Financing lease obligation, net of current portion	54,491	55,966
Deferred rent liability	24,519	23,752
Deferred income taxes	97,208	97,674
Deferred revenue	6,088	5,246
Other liabilities	15,180	19,123
Total liabilities	1,576,494	1,229,887
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Shareholders' equity:
Undesignated stock: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 100,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock designated and no shares designated, respectively, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.02 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 39,016,499 and 42,115,549 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	781	843
Additional paid-in capital	253,067	402,147
Retained earnings	860,709	746,339
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-9,433	-5,615
Total shareholders’ equity	1,105,124	1,143,714
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,681,618	$2,373,601

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.02	$0.02
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	39,016,499	42,115,549
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	39,016,499	42,115,549
Preferred Class A
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Membership dues	$810,707	$766,846	$727,596
Enrollment fees	12,224	13,941	15,346
In-center revenue	410,953	375,517	348,265
Total center revenue	1,233,884	1,156,304	1,091,207
Other revenue	56,736	49,600	35,740
Total revenue	1,290,620	1,205,904	1,126,947
Operating expenses:
Center operations	744,343	689,246	648,924
Advertising and marketing	42,853	42,712	39,931
General and administrative	63,112	58,986	55,715
Other operating	67,020	64,558	52,327
Depreciation and amortization	143,931	121,843	117,887
Total operating expenses	1,061,259	977,345	914,784
Income from operations	229,361	228,559	212,163
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	-42,296	-30,800	-30,697
Equity in earnings of affiliate	1,056	1,399	1,482
Total other expense	-41,240	-29,401	-29,215
Income before income taxes	188,121	199,158	182,948
Provision for income taxes	73,751	78,181	72,191
Net income	$114,370	$120,977	$110,757
Basic earnings per common share	$2.95	$2.93	$2.68
Diluted earnings per common share	$2.94	$2.92	$2.64
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic	38,793	41,263	41,345
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted	38,928	41,482	41,972

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehenseive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$114,370	$120,977	$110,757
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes of $0, $1,585 and $271, respectively	-4,677	-2,188	-365
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income taxes of $(572), $(916) and $1,229, respectively	859	1,374	-1,843
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-3,818	-814	-2,208
Comprehensive income	$110,552	$120,163	$108,549

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Tax on foreign currency translation adjustment	$0	$1,585	$271
Taxes on unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	($572)	($916)	$1,229

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$954,674	$849	$441,813	$514,605	($2,593)
Shares, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		42,428,265
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	110,757			110,757
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-2,208				-2,208
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options, Shares		115,690
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options	2,342	3	2,339
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, Shares		1,030,510
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	0	21	-21
Repurchase of common stock, shares		-425,031
Repurchase of common stock	-19,099	-9	-19,090
Compensation related to stock options and restricted stock grants	15,148		15,148
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	8,478		8,478
Other	-755		-755
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,069,337	864	447,912	625,362	-4,801
Shares, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		43,149,434
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	120,977			120,977
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-814				-814
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options, Shares		74,242
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options	1,734	2	1,732
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, Shares		221,208
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	0	4	-4
Repurchase of common stock, shares		-1,329,335
Repurchase of common stock	-61,959	-27	-61,932
Compensation related to stock options and restricted stock grants	12,838		12,838
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	6,211		6,211
Other	-4,610		-4,610
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,143,714	843	402,147	746,339	-5,615
Shares, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		42,115,549
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	114,370			114,370
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-3,818				-3,818
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options, Shares		141,519
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options	2,908	3	2,905
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, Shares		221,876
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	0	4	-4
Repurchase of common stock, shares		-3,462,445
Repurchase of common stock	-166,878	-69	-166,809
Compensation related to stock options and restricted stock grants	13,405		13,405
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	1,423		1,423
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,105,124	$781	$253,067	$860,709	($9,433)
Shares, Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		39,016,499

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$114,370	$120,977	$110,757
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	143,931	121,843	117,887
Deferred income taxes	-742	5,853	-3,338
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net	-663	251	1,086
Gain on sale of land held for sale	-17	-74	-196
Amortization of deferred financing costs	3,285	2,197	2,003
Share-based compensation	12,903	12,469	14,686
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation	-1,318	-5,895	-8,502
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-7,448	1,901	22,143
Other	-3,589	-93	31
Net cash provided by operating activities	260,712	259,429	256,557
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	-432,259	-348,948	-224,194
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-16,009	-13,238	-30,614
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,389	1,445	969
Proceeds from sale of land held for sale	785	678	1,758
Proceeds from property insurance settlements	0	177	909
Decrease (increase) in other assets	1,564	-1,187	-333
Decrease in restricted cash	337	1,237	102
Net cash used in investing activities	-444,193	-359,836	-251,403
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	161,750	125,000	0
Repayments of long-term borrowings	-32,993	-35,276	-6,929
Proceeds from credit facility, net	224,500	56,500	22,000
Repayments of financing lease obligation	-1,232	-1,012	-812
Increase in deferred financing costs	-4,968	-4,631	-914
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation	1,318	5,895	8,502
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,908	1,734	2,342
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	1,593	1,367	1,206
Stock purchased for employee stock purchase plan	-1,531	-1,309	-1,290
Repurchases of common stock	-166,878	-61,959	-19,099
Net cash provided by financing activities	184,467	86,309	5,006
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	-145	5,933	-1,148
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	841	-8,165	9,012
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – Beginning of period	8,334	16,499	7,487
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – End of period	$9,175	$8,334	$16,499

Nature_of_Business

Nature of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Nature of Business [Abstract]
Nature of Business	Nature of Business
	Life Time Fitness, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and our subsidiaries are primarily engaged in designing, building and operating distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and spa centers in a resort-like environment, principally in residential locations of major metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2014, we operated 113 centers, including 23 in Minnesota, 18 in Texas, nine in Illinois, seven in Michigan, six in Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio, five in Arizona, four in Colorado and Virginia, three in Indiana and New Jersey, two in Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada and New York and one each in Alabama, California, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah, and one in Ontario, Canada.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Life Time Fitness, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Revenue Recognition — We receive monthly membership dues for usage from our members. We offer members month-to-month memberships and recognize as revenue the monthly membership dues in the month to which they pertain.
	Generally we also receive a one-time enrollment fee (including an administrative fee) at the time a member joins. The enrollment fees are nonrefundable after 14 days. Enrollment fees and related direct expenses, primarily sales commissions, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over an estimated average membership life of 33 months, which is based on historical membership experience. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our annual attrition rate fluctuated between 31.3% and 35.8%, resulting in the estimated average membership life remaining at 33 months during those periods. At December 31, 2014, our annual attrition rate was 35.2%.
	If the direct expenses related to the enrollment fees exceed the enrollment fees for any center in a month, the amount of direct expenses in excess of the enrollment fees are expensed in the current period instead of deferred over the estimated average membership life. The amount of direct expenses in excess of enrollment fees totaled $28.7 million, $26.2 million and $20.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We provide a wide range of services at each of our centers, including personal training, spa, café and other member offerings. Revenue from spa and café services and products is recognized at the point of sale to the customer. Personal training revenue received in advance of training sessions and the related commissions are deferred and recognized based on historical member usage.
	Other revenue includes revenue from our media, athletic events and related services, which includes our race registration and timing businesses, our health promotion programs and training and certification programs. Media advertising revenue is recognized over the duration of the advertising placement. For athletic events, revenue is generated primarily through sponsorship sales and race registration fees. Athletic event revenue and race registration revenue is recognized upon the completion of the event. Race timing revenue is recognized at the time of delivery to customer. Health revenue is recognized primarily at the time the service is performed.
	Pre-Opening Operations — We generally operate a preview center up to five months prior to the planned opening of a center during which time memberships are sold as center construction is being completed. The revenue and direct membership acquisition costs, primarily sales commissions, incurred during the period prior to a center opening are deferred until the center opens and are then recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average membership life, beginning when the center opens. If the direct expenses related to the enrollment fees exceed the enrollment fees for any center, the amount of direct expenses in excess of the enrollment fees are expensed in the current period instead of deferred over the estimated average membership life. The related advertising, office, rent, labor and other expenses incurred during this period are expensed as incurred.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents — We classify all unrestricted cash accounts and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents.
	Restricted Cash — We are required to keep funds in escrow accounts or on deposit at certain financial institutions related to certain of our lease and acquisition agreements. We or third parties may access the restricted cash after the occurrence of a specified event, as provided for under the respective agreements.
	Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable is presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The rollforward of these allowances is as follows:
		December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts — beginning of period	$	180			$	213			$	167
	Provisions	829				334				675
	Write-offs against allowance	(385		)		(367		)		(629		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts — end of period	$	624			$	180			$	213
	Center Operating Supplies and Inventories — Our operating supplies are primarily center supplies such as towels, pool chemicals and materials for our child centers and other activities. Our inventories primarily consist of spa, café and nutritional products as well as personal training products including heart rate monitors. Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost-or-market value and are removed from the balance on a first-in-first-out basis. These balances are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Center operating supplies	$	7,238			$	8,658
	In-center businesses inventory and supplies	23,393				21,586
	Apparel and other	5,305				2,534
	Total center operating supplies and inventories	$	35,936			$	32,778
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets — Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred costs associated with personal training deferred revenue	$	5,101			$	4,691
	Prepaid lease obligations	3,781				3,843
	Prepaid marketing and media expenses	3,870				3,653
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	3,617				4,787
	Prepaid licenses and subscriptions	3,629				2,548
	Other prepaid expenses	1,580				2,391
	Land held for sale – short-term	293				839
	Canadian sales tax receivable	1,153				944
	Other current assets	2,820				2,106
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	25,844			$	25,802
	Property and Equipment — Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Improvements are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations when incurred.
	Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for tax reporting purposes.
	Property and equipment consist of the following:
		Depreciable		December 31,
		Lives		2014				2013
	Land			$	362,001			$	330,800
	Buildings and related fixtures	3-39 years		2,024,916				1,721,635
	Leasehold improvements	1-20 years		188,867				173,067
	Construction in progress			132,098				160,560
	Total land, buildings, leaseholds and construction in process			2,707,882				2,386,062
	Equipment:
	Fitness	3-7 years		140,561				126,692
	Other equipment	3-7 years		115,243				101,450
	Computer and telephone	3-7 years		81,901				71,623
	Capitalized software	3-5 years		104,327				87,707
	Decor and signage	5 years		22,706				20,134
	Audio/visual	5 years		39,370				35,064
	Furniture and fixtures	5-7 years		23,531				19,946
	Total equipment			527,639				462,616
	Property and equipment, gross			3,235,521				2,848,678
	Less accumulated depreciation			817,590				701,051
	Property and equipment, net			$	2,417,931			$	2,147,627
	At December 31, 2014, we had six centers under construction which we plan to open in 2015. Construction in progress, including land for future development, totaled $172.1 million at December 31, 2014 and $202.8 million at December 31, 2013.
	Included in the construction in progress balances are site development costs which consist of legal, engineering, architectural, environmental, feasibility and other direct expenditures incurred for certain new center projects. Capitalization commences when acquisition of a particular property is deemed probable by management. Should a specific project be deemed not viable for construction, any capitalized costs related to that project are charged to operations at the time of that determination. Costs incurred prior to the point at which the acquisition is deemed probable are expensed as incurred. Upon completion of a project, the site development costs are classified as property and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Site development costs were $2.1 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Capitalized software includes our internally developed web-based systems to facilitate member enrollment and management, marketing-based website development, as well as point of sale system enhancements and our payroll, human resources and procure-to-pay software.
	We capitalize interest during the construction period of our centers and this capitalized interest is included in the cost of the building. We capitalized interest of $2.8 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Other equipment consists primarily of café, spa, playground and laundry equipment.
Acquisitions — We account for business acquisitions in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations. This standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction and establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Certain provisions of this standard prescribe, among other things, the determination of acquisition-date fair value of consideration paid in a business combination (including contingent consideration) and the exclusion of transaction and acquisition-related restructuring costs from acquisition accounting.
In 2014, we spent approximately $16.0 million in business acquisition related costs, including several major-market athletic events. Our preliminary purchase price allocations are as follows: $0.3 million of identifiable assets, $3.6 million of deferred revenue, $11.9 million of goodwill and $7.6 million of identifiable intangible assets. Additionally in 2014, we finalized the valuation on our 2013 acquisitions which resulted in no changes to the preliminary allocations.
In 2014, we purchased the land and building of two of our existing centers we had previously leased. The purchase was financed by borrowings from our credit facility. Since we previously operated these centers, this was accounted for as a purchase of an asset group. We allocated the purchase price to land and buildings acquired based on relative fair values as determined by independent appraisals. Previously recorded deferred rent related to these properties was treated as a reduction of the purchase price. Additionally, we reclassified unamortized leasehold improvements on these properties to the purchased assets.
In 2013, we spent approximately $13.2 million in business acquisition related costs, including several major-market athletic events. The purchase price allocations were as follows: $3.2 million of identifiable assets, $4.6 million of deferred revenue, $9.4 million of goodwill and $5.4 million of identifiable intangible assets. Additionally in 2013, we finalized the valuation on our 2012 acquisitions which resulted in an increase of $2.6 million of goodwill.
In 2012, we spent approximately $30.6 million in acquisition related costs, including a race timing company that developed a radio frequency identification timing system for athletic and endurance events including run, bike and multi-sport races. Simultaneous with that acquisition, we merged a race registration business, in which we previously owned a majority equity interest, with the race timing business. The fair values assigned to the race timing company were approximately $11.2 million of identifiable intangible assets, $2.3 million of identifiable assets and $5.7 million to goodwill. We also acquired a tennis center in the Atlanta, Georgia market which we rebranded Life Time Athletic Peachtree Corners. The fair value assigned to this acquired business was approximately $4.0 million of identifiable intangible assets. We also acquired certain athletic events which complement our existing portfolio of athletic events. The fair values assigned to the athletic events was approximately $3.9 million aggregate identifiable intangible assets.
We do not present pro forma information for these acquisitions given the immateriality of their results individually and in the aggregate to our consolidated financial statements.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets — The carrying value of long-lived assets is reviewed annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable. We consider a history of consistent and significant operating losses, or the inability to recover net book value over the remaining useful life, to be our primary indicator of potential impairment. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at an individual center level or ancillary business. The determination of whether impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows directly related to that center or ancillary business, compared to the carrying value of these assets. If an impairment has occurred, the amount of impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of these assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value. Based upon our review and analysis, no material impairments on operating assets were deemed to have occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — As part of our risk management program, we may periodically use interest rate swaps to manage known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being managed and are generally held to maturity.
In August 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap contract that effectively fixed the rates paid on a total of $200.0 million of variable rate borrowings at 1.32% plus the applicable spread (which depends on our EBITDAR leverage ratio) until June 2016. We pay 1.32% and receive LIBOR on the notional amount of $200.0 million. The contract has been designated as a cash flow hedge against interest rate volatility. Changes in the fair market value of the swap contract are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax. As of December 31, 2014, the $1.4 million fair market value loss, net of tax, of the swap contract was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of our consolidated balance sheets and the $2.3 million gross fair market value of the swap contract was included in long-term debt. For information regarding the swap contract, see Note 4.
On an ongoing basis, we assess whether the interest rate swap used in this hedging transaction is “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged item by comparing the current terms of the swap and the debt to assure they continue to coincide and through an evaluation of the continued ability of the counterparty to the swap to honor its obligations under the swap. If it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or hedge accounting is discontinued, any change in fair value of the derivative since the last date at which it was determined to be effective would be recognized in earnings. No amounts related to ineffectiveness have been recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Goodwill — The goodwill acquired during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is primarily from the acquisition of certain athletic events as well as other smaller acquisitions. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	37,176
Goodwill acquired	12,019
Balance at December 31, 2013	49,195
Goodwill acquired	11,906
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	61,101
Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized but instead tested for impairment annually at September 30, or more frequently if necessary. We test goodwill at the reporting unit level which is one level below the operating segment. For us, this is generally the individual center or athletic event level. Based upon our review and analysis, no material impairments were deemed to have occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Intangible Assets — Intangible assets are comprised of trade names, leasehold rights, curriculum- and technology-based intangible assets and customer relationships. Intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead tested for impairment at least annually.
We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis each September 30. We are also required to evaluate these assets for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the intangible asset below its carrying amount. Based upon our review and analysis, no material impairments were deemed to have occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
The following table summarizes the changes in our gross intangible balance:
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	28,531
Trade/brand names acquired	5,347
Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles acquired	100
Balance at December 31, 2013	33,978
Leasehold rights acquired	9,760
Trade/brand names acquired	5,378
Customer relationships acquired	1,925
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	51,041
The leasehold rights acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014 are related to our acquisition of a ground lease for a center expected to open in 2015. The trade/brand names and customer relationships acquired during 2014 are related to the acquisition of certain athletic events.
The trade/brand names acquired during the year ended December 31, 2013 are related to the acquisition of certain athletic events. The curriculum-and technology-based intangible acquired during 2013 is related to a patent purchased for use in our race registration and timing business.
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
	December 31,
	2014											2013
	Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net			Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Leasehold rights	$	16,151			$	1,958			$	14,193		$	6,392	$	1,435	$	4,957
Trade/brand names	20,858				3,012				17,846			15,479		1,011		14,468
Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles	6,695				1,864				4,831			6,695		1,286		5,409
Customer relationships	7,337				1,665				5,672			5,412		947		4,465
Total intangible assets	$	51,041			$	8,499			$	42,542		$	33,978	$	4,679	$	29,299
Leasehold rights have useful lives ranging from six to 40 years. Approximately $9.3 million of our trade/brand names have indefinite useful lives. The remaining $11.6 million of our trade/brand names have a weighted-average useful life of approximately 11 years. Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles have useful lives ranging from two to 15 years. The customer relationship intangibles have useful lives of 10 years. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $3.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, expected amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter was as follows:
2015	$	3,253
2016	2,814
2017	2,715
2018	2,715
2019	2,715
Thereafter	19,043
Total expected amortization expense for intangible assets	$	33,255
Other Assets — We record other assets at cost. Amortization of financing costs is computed over the periods of the related debt financing. Other assets consist of the following:
	December 31,
	2014				2013
Financing costs, net	$	12,076			$	10,393
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (see Note 3)	5,147				4,761
Land held for sale	17,338				15,787
Executive nonqualified plan (see Note 11)	5,780				5,410
Other	4,414				6,333
Total other assets	$	44,755			$	42,684
Land held for sale consists of excess land purchased as part of our original center site acquisitions. All land held for sale is currently being marketed for sale. If the excess land is currently under contract for sale, the cost is reflected as current and listed within prepaid expenses and other current assets. Land held for sale is stated at the lower-of-cost or fair market value less estimated costs to sell.
Accrued Expenses — Accrued expenses consist of the following:
	December 31,
	2014				2013
Payroll related	$	15,375			$	14,410
Real estate taxes	17,748				18,939
Center operating costs	12,737				15,868
Insurance	6,670				6,495
Interest	2,061				1,469
Income taxes	—				59
Marketing and information technology accruals	1,919				1,642
Other	14,068				8,553
Total accrued expenses	$	70,578			$	67,435
TCPA Litigation — On April 17, 2014, a putative class action was filed against LTF Club Operations Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Life Time Fitness, Inc., in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. On June 13, 2014, LTF Club Operations Company, Inc. removed this action to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division. On April 23, 2014, a second putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. On April 23, 2014, a third putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. On July 1, 2014, a fourth putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. On January 26, 2015, a fifth putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. These actions are collectively referred to as the “TCPA Actions” or "TCPA Litigation."
The TCPA Actions allege that we violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) when we, or a third party on our behalf, sent marketing text messages to plaintiffs’ cellular telephones using an automatic telephone dialing system without plaintiffs’ consent. Each plaintiff seeks certification of the class, injunctive relief, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and an award of damages available under the TCPA, which include actual damages and statutory damages of $500 per violation or $1,500 per violation if the violation was willful. We deny the allegations.
On October 15, 2014, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted our motion to transfer four of the TCPA Actions to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings (“MDL”). We have moved to transfer the fifth action, filed January 26, 2015, for consolidation in the MDL.
The parties have agreed to a class settlement of the TCPA Litigation. On February 25, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The preliminary approval hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2015. We agreed to pay all costs of the settlement, including class notice, claims administration, court-awarded plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, court-awarded service awards, and awards to class members. Class members may claim either a cash award of $100 or a membership award that lets them pick either a free three-month single Gold membership or a $250 credit toward any access membership that covers the class member. The total settlement amount, as calculated under the agreement, is subject to a minimum of $10 million and a maximum of $15 million. Depending on the total number of claims submitted and the amount of attorneys’ fees awarded, the amounts of the cash award and membership award may be adjusted up or down to bring the total settlement amount within that range. For purposes of calculating the total settlement amount, every membership award that is timely and validly claimed counts as a payment of $250 (subject to adjustment).
Because our cost to service a membership is less than the membership award, the amount of our reasonably estimable loss does not directly correspond to the amount of the total settlement amount as calculated under the agreement. Further, the amount of attorneys’ fees, the claims rate, and the mix of cash and membership awards all remain unknown at this time, and therefore, we believe our reasonably estimable loss is a range. Based on reasonable estimates of these factors, we have recorded a liability in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the amount of $4.7 million, which we believe represents the minimum amount of the range.
Other Litigation — We are also engaged in other proceedings incidental to the normal course of business. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent uncertainties, including but not limited to court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental intervention. We will establish reserves for matters that are probable and estimable in amounts we believe are adequate to cover reasonable adverse judgments. Based upon the information available to us and discussions with legal counsel, it is our opinion that the outcome of the various legal actions and claims that are incidental to our business will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes of individual matters are not predictable with assurance.
Income Taxes — We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would record a valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
We recognize, measure, present and disclose uncertain tax positions that we have taken or expect to take in our income tax returns. We recognize a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits.
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.
Earnings per Common Share — Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each year. Diluted EPS is computed similarly to basic EPS, except that the denominator is increased for the conversion of any dilutive common stock equivalents, the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method and unvested restricted stock awards using the treasury stock method. Stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common share were 2,477 for both of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and 15,540 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are shown below:
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Net income	$	114,370			$	120,977			$	110,757
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	38,793				41,263				41,345
Effect of dilutive stock options	11				85				116
Effect of dilutive restricted stock awards	124				134				511
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	38,928				41,482				41,972
Basic earnings per common share	$	2.95			$	2.93			$	2.68
Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.94			$	2.92			$	2.64
The number of total common shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 was 39,016,499.
Dividends — We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to invest all future earnings into the operation and expansion of our business or the repurchase of shares and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our credit facility limits the amount of dividends we may pay without the consent of the lenders. The payment of any dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, outstanding indebtedness and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Share-Based Compensation — We maintain share-based incentive plans. Under applicable accounting standards, the fair value of share-based compensation is determined at the grant date and the recognition of the related expense is recorded over the period in which the share-based compensation vests.
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the authority to select the persons to receive awards and determine the type, size and terms of awards and establish objectives and conditions for earning awards, and the authority to delegate that authority. The types of awards that may be granted include incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards. The value of restricted shares was based upon the closing price of our stock on the dates of issue. The restricted shares generally vest over periods ranging from one to four years. As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,012,661 shares available for grant.
We also have performance-based incentive plans. In June 2009 and August 2010, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of a total of 1,016,000 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain diluted EPS targets in 2011 and 2012. A specified EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2011 and 50% of the restricted shares vested. A specified EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2012 and the remaining 50% of the restricted shares vested. The probability of reaching the targets was evaluated each reporting period. A total of $18.8 million (pretax) was recognized as compensation expense with respect to this grant.
In May, July and August 2012, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of a total of 658,500 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain cumulative diluted EPS and return on invested capital (“ROIC”) targets during performance periods that end on December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016. The cumulative diluted EPS target measures cumulative diluted EPS for each quarter during the period from April 1, 2012 to the end of the applicable performance period. These targets are $13.68 cumulative diluted EPS through 2015 and $18.96 cumulative diluted EPS through 2016. The ROIC target is measured in the last year of the applicable performance period. These targets are 8.9% for 2015 and 9.0% for 2016. If the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met or exceeded for the performance period ending December 31, 2015, 50% of the restricted shares will vest. If the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met or exceeded for the performance period ending December 31, 2016, all of the restricted shares will vest. In the event that we do not achieve the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets for the performance period ending December 31, 2016, the restricted shares will be forfeited. A maximum of $26.0 million could be recognized as compensation expense with respect to this grant if all cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met.
We do not believe that achievement of either the cumulative diluted EPS or the ROIC targets is currently probable, and, therefore, we did not recognize any compensation expense associated with the grant during the year ended December 31, 2014. If all of the targets had been considered probable at December 31, 2014, we would have recognized $16.8 million of non-cash performance share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2014. If it becomes probable that the cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC performance targets will be achieved, a cumulative adjustment will be recorded and the remaining compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining performance period. The probability of reaching the targets is evaluated each reporting period.
Our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) provides for the sale of shares of our common stock to our employees at discounted purchase prices. The cost per share under this plan is 90% of the fair market value of our common stock on the last day of the purchase period, as defined. Compensation expense under the ESPP is based on the discount of 10% at the end of the purchase period.
For more information on our share-based compensation, see Note 7.
Fair Value Measurements — The accounting guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance applies to all assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. This enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The guidance requires that each asset and liability carried at fair value be classified into one of the following categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing Eurodollar interest rates, Eurodollar yield curve rates and current fair values as quoted by recognized dealers, and also includes consideration of counterparty credit risk. The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument:
			Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
	Total		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Fair		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Interest rate swap liability as of
December 31, 2014	$2,331		$—		$2,331		$—
Interest rate swap liability as of
December 31, 2013	$3,762		$—		$3,762		$—
Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis relate primarily to our tangible fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, which are remeasured when the derived fair value is below carrying value on our consolidated balance sheets. For these assets, we do not periodically adjust carrying value to fair value except in the event of impairment. If we determine that impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the asset would be reduced to fair value and the difference would be recorded as a loss within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations.
We had no remeasurements of such assets or liabilities to fair value during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amounts related to cash and cash equivalents (Level 1), accounts receivable, income tax receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of such instruments.
The fair value of our long-term debt and capital leases are estimated based on estimated current rates for debt with similar terms, credit worthiness and the same remaining maturities. For variable rate loans that re-price frequently, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated based on the discounted cash flows of the loans using current market rates, which are estimated based on recent financing transactions (Level 2). The fair value estimates presented are based on information available to us as of December 31, 2014. These fair value estimates have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since that date, and current estimates of fair values may differ significantly.
The following table presents the carrying value and the estimated fair value of long-term debt:
	December 31, 2014
	Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value
Fixed-rate debt	$	628,937			$	626,206
Obligations under capital leases	4,697				5,682
Floating-rate debt	567,276				567,276
Total	$	1,200,910			$	1,199,164
Comprehensive Income — Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. For us, the difference between net income as reported on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income is a loss of $3.8 million. This difference is related to the interest rate swap contract and foreign currency translation due to expenditures for initial construction costs for the construction and operations of one open center and one center under construction, in Toronto, Canada, our first international locations. For more information on the swap contract, see Note 4.
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component — The following table presents information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component (net of tax):
	Gains (Losses) on Cash Flows Hedge				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(3,631	)		$	(1,170	)		$	(4,801	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,374				(2,188		)		(814		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	(2,257		)		(3,358		)		(5,615		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	859				(4,677		)		(3,818		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(1,398	)		$	(8,035	)		$	(9,433	)
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, we use estimates based on the best information available. We use estimates for such items as depreciable lives, probability of meeting certain performance targets, tax provisions and deferred personal training revenue. We also use estimates for calculating the amortization period for deferred enrollment fee revenue and associated direct costs, which are based on the historical estimated average membership life. We revise the recorded estimates when better information is available, facts change or we can determine actual amounts. These revisions can affect our consolidated operating results.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information — Decreases (increases) in operating assets and increases (decreases) in operating liabilities are as follows:
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Accounts receivable	$	(1,917	)		$	685			$	(2,211	)
Income tax receivable	(5,898		)		(6,698		)		(5,026		)
Center operating supplies and inventories	(3,151		)		(5,555		)		(3,093		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(945		)		3,190				5,022
Deferred membership origination costs	65				3,329				2,172
Accounts payable	(2,134		)		(3,986		)		10,160
Accrued expenses	4,262				10,404				12,568
Deferred revenue	1,000				(5,918		)		3,108
Deferred rent liability	790				5,741				(2,284		)
Other liabilities	480				709				1,727
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	$	(7,448	)		$	1,901			$	22,143
Our capital expenditures were as follows:
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
Cash purchases of property and equipment	$	432,259			$	348,948			$	224,194
Non-cash change in construction accounts payable	(15,370		)		22,134				3,316
Other non-cash changes to property and equipment	(2,708		)		(5,964		)		5,604
Total capital expenditures	$	414,181			$	365,118			$	233,114
We made cash payments for income taxes for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $78.9 million, $71.9 million and $61.5 million, respectively.
We made cash payments for interest, net of capitalized interest, for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $38.4 million, $29.0 million and $29.1 million, respectively. Capitalized interest was $2.8 million, $3.3 million and $1.1 million during those same periods, respectively.
Construction accounts payable was $32.0 million at December 31, 2014 and $47.3 million at December 31, 2013.
New Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us in 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We are in the process of selecting a transition method and determining the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate [Abstract]
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate
	In December 1999, we, together with two unrelated organizations, formed an Illinois limited liability company named Bloomingdale LIFE TIME Fitness L.L.C. (“Bloomingdale LLC”) for the purpose of constructing and operating a center in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The center opened for business in February 2001. Each of the three members maintains an equal interest in Bloomingdale LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement that governs the formation and operation of Bloomingdale LLC (the “Operating Agreement”), each of the three members contributed $2.0 million to Bloomingdale LLC. We share joint control of the center with our joint venture partners, as all decisions essential to the accomplishments of the purpose of Bloomingdale LLC require the consent of the other members of Bloomingdale LLC. The Operating Agreement expires on the earlier of December 2039 or the liquidation of Bloomingdale LLC. We account for our interest in Bloomingdale LLC using the equity method.
	In May 2011, Bloomingdale LLC financed the outstanding amount of the taxable bond indebtedness with a mortgage loan from a bank in the amount $7.3 million. As additional security for the mortgage loan, all of the members separately guaranteed one-third of the loan. As of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount of future payments under our one-third of the guarantee was $1.2 million. We have the right to recover from Bloomingdale LLC any amounts paid under the terms of the guarantee, but only after Bloomingdale LLC’s obligations to the bank have been satisfied.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement, beginning in March 2002 and continuing throughout the term of such agreement, each of the other two members are guaranteed to receive cash distributions from Bloomingdale LLC. The amount of these aggregated distributions is, and will continue to be throughout the term of the agreement, approximately $0.7 million annually per member. A determination will be made on an annual basis regarding the distribution of any net cash flow to each of the members in addition to the guaranteed payments. We are entitled to receive annual distributions once guaranteed payments and adjustment payments have been made. In the event that Bloomingdale LLC does not generate sufficient cash flow through its own operations to make the required monthly distributions, we are obligated to make such payments to each of the other two members. To date, Bloomingdale LLC has generated cash flows sufficient to make all such payments. Each of the three members received distributions from Bloomingdale LLC in the amount of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt and Other Financing Obligation
	Long-term debt consists of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Credit facility, interest only due monthly at interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 1.25% to 2.25% or base plus 0.25% to 1.25%, expiring May 2019, collateralized by certain personal property	$	733,750	$	510,500
	Interest rate swap on notional amount of $200,000 at a fixed annual rate of 1.32% plus the applicable spread, expires June 2016	2,331		3,762
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $632 including interest at 6.03%, expiring February 2017 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings	93,399		95,207
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $531 including interest at 5.06%, expiring February 2024 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	78,063		—
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $669 including interest at 4.70%, expiring August 2027 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	76,537		—
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $503 including interest at 5.75%, expiring December 2016 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings	66,052		68,173
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $775 including interest at 4.45%, expiring March 2023 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	64,159		70,457
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $423 including interest at 4.48%, expiring September 2026 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	46,354		49,287
	Variable rate demand notes, interest due monthly at a variable rate resetting weekly, principal due annually according to an agreement with a Letter of Credit provider that secures the notes which mature in July 2033	31,195		31,815
	Mortgage note payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $27 including interest at 7.10%, expiring May 2024 and collateralized by certain related real estate and building	2,230		2,397
	Special assessments payable	2,143		2,035
	Total debt (excluding obligations under capital leases)	1,196,213		833,633
	Obligations under capital leases (see below)	4,697		14,965
	Total debt	1,200,910		848,598
	Less current maturities	22,455		24,505
	Total long-term debt	$	1,178,455	$	824,093
	Credit Facility
	In July 2013, we entered into the Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent and lender, and other lenders from time to time a party thereto, which amended and restated our prior credit agreement. The material amendments to the Credit Agreement were (i) an increase to the amount of our credit facility from $660.0 million to $760.0 million and a new $100.0 million term loan and (ii) an extension of the term of the facility to July 2018. The credit facility could be increased by an additional $240.0 million upon the exercise of an accordion feature if one or more lenders committed the additional $240.0 million. The term loan dated July 31, 2013 amortized at the rate of 5.0% of the original term loan amount on an annual basis. The facility remained floating rate with a spread over LIBOR or Prime. The spreads under the leverage-based pricing grid in the facility remained unchanged, as did the financial covenant ratio thresholds.
	In May 2014, we amended and extended our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent and lender, and other lenders from time to time a party thereto. The material amendments to the Credit Agreement are (i) an increase to the amount of the facility from $860.0 million to $1.2 billion; and (ii) an extension of the maturity of the facility to May 30, 2019. After giving effect to the amendments, the facility consists of a $100.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion credit facility ("credit facility"), which term loan amortizes at the rate of 5.0% on an annual basis. The credit facility may also be increased by an additional $500.0 million upon the exercise of an accordion feature if one or more lenders commit the additional $500.0 million. The spreads under the leverage-based pricing grid in the credit facility were lowered. The financial covenant ratio thresholds were unchanged.
	At December 31, 2013, $510.5 million was outstanding on the credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 2.4%. The weighted average interest rate and debt outstanding under the credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 2.5% and $411.9 million, respectively. The maximum month-end balance during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $510.5 million.
	At December 31, 2014, $733.8 million was outstanding on the credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 2.5%, plus $13.8 million related to letters of credit. The weighted average interest rate and debt outstanding under the credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 2.4% and $599.4 million, respectively. The maximum month-end balance during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $733.8 million.
	Interest Rate Swap
	In August 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap contract with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. that effectively fixed the rates paid on a total of $200.0 million of variable rate borrowings from our credit facility at 1.32% plus the applicable spread (which depends on our EBITDAR leverage ratio) until June 2016. We pay 1.32% and receive LIBOR on the notional amount of $200.0 million. The contract was designated as a hedge against interest rate volatility. We applied this hedge to variable rate interest debt under the U.S. Bank credit facility. Changes in the fair market value of the swap contract were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. As of December 31, 2014, the $1.4 million fair market value loss, net of tax, of the swap contract was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of our consolidated balance sheets and the $2.3 million gross fair market value of the swap contract was included in long-term debt.
	Mortgage Financing
	In January 2007, a wholly owned subsidiary obtained a mortgage-backed loan in the original principal amount of $105.0 million from Goldman Sachs Commercial Mortgage Capital, L.P. pursuant to a loan agreement dated January 2007. The mortgage financing is secured by six properties owned by the subsidiary and operated as Life Time Fitness centers. The mortgage financing matures in February 2017. Interest on the amounts borrowed under the mortgage financing referenced above is 6.03% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.6 million. As additional security for the subsidiary's obligations under this mortgage financing, the subsidiary granted a security interest in all assets owned from time to time by the subsidiary including the properties, the revenues from the properties and all other tangible and intangible property, and certain bank accounts belonging to the subsidiary that the lender has required pursuant to the mortgage financing. As of December 31, 2014, $93.4 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In January 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary obtained a mortgage loan in the original principal amount of $80.0 million from Well Fargo Bank, N.A. pursuant to a promissory note and related agreements. The mortgage financing is secured by mortgages on five properties and matures in February 2024. Interest on the amounts borrowed is 5.06% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.5 million. As of December 31, 2014, $78.1 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In July 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary obtained a mortgage loan in the original principal amount of $78.0 million from ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company pursuant to a promissory note and related agreements. The mortgage financing is secured by five properties and matures in August 2027. Interest on the amounts borrowed is 4.70% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.7 million. As of December 31, 2014, $76.5 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In connection with the purchase of six previously leased Life Time Fitness centers, in December 2011 a wholly owned subsidiary assumed a securitized commercial mortgage-backed loan dated December 2006 in the original principal amount of $80.0 million from the landlord. The assumed amount of the loan was $72.1 million and matures in December 2016. Interest on the loan is 5.75% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.5 million. The loan is secured by mortgages on the six properties purchased by the subsidiary and certain other tangible and intangible property of the subsidiary. Also in connection with the purchase and financing, our wholly owned subsidiary assumed the lease agreement previously executed in June of 2006 between the landlord and another of our wholly owned subsidiaries as tenant of the six properties. Our subsidiaries may not terminate the lease or transfer their interests in the properties except as permitted under the loan and lease agreements. We guarantee the obligations of our subsidiary as tenant under the lease. As of December 31, 2014, $66.1 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In February 2013, a wholly-owned subsidiary obtained a mortgage loan in the original principal amount of $75.0 million from ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company pursuant to a promissory note and related agreements. The mortgage financing is secured by five properties and matures in March 2023. Interest on the amounts borrowed is 4.45% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.8 million. As of December 31, 2014, $64.2 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In August 2013, a wholly owned subsidiary obtained a mortgage loan in the original principal amount of $50.0 million from ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company pursuant to a promissory note and related agreements. The mortgage financing is secured by three properties and matures in September 2026. Interest on the amounts borrowed is 4.48% per annum, with a constant monthly debt service payment of $0.4 million. As of December 31, 2014, $46.4 million remained outstanding on the loan.
	In May 2009, we financed one Minnesota center using an obligation bearing interest at a rate of 7.10%, to be reset in May 2014 and May 2019 using the five-year LIBOR swap rate plus 4.50%, with a 6.00% floor, and amortized over a 20-year period. This obligation is due in full in May 2024. As security for the obligation, we have granted a mortgage on this center. At December 31, 2014, $2.2 million was outstanding.
	Variable Rate Demand Notes
	In July 2008, a wholly owned subsidiary issued variable rate demand notes in the principal amount of $34.2 million, the proceeds of which were used to provide permanent financing for our corporate headquarters and our Overland Park, Kansas center. The notes, which mature in July 2033, bear interest at a variable rate that is adjusted weekly. The interest rate at December 31, 2014 was 0.2%. The notes are backed by a letter of credit from General Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC"), for which we will pay GECC an annual fee of 1.40% of the maximum amount available under the letter of credit, as well as other drawing and reimbursement fees. The letter of credit expires in June 2023 but can be renewed at GECC’s option. If GECC declines to renew the letter of credit in 2023, the Company will either need to pay off the balance of the notes or find a suitable replacement letter of credit. In connection with the letter of credit, the borrower subsidiary entered into a reimbursement agreement with GECC. Under the terms of the reimbursement agreement, if the notes are purchased with proceeds of a drawing under the letter of credit, and cannot thereafter be remarketed, GECC is obligated to hold the notes and the indebtedness evidenced by those notes will be amortized over a period ending June 2023. The subsidiary’s obligations under the reimbursement agreement are secured by mortgages against the two aforementioned properties. We guaranteed the subsidiary’s obligations under the leases that will fund any reimbursement obligations. As of December 31, 2014, $31.2 million remained outstanding on the notes.
	Aggregate annual future maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital leases) at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	21,880
	2016	86,733
	2017	108,938
	2018	20,363
	2019	755,000
	Thereafter	203,299
	Total future maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital leases)	$	1,196,213
	Capital Leases
	In May 2001, we financed one of our Minnesota centers pursuant to the terms of a sale-leaseback transaction that qualified as a capital lease. Pursuant to the terms of the lease, we agreed to lease the center for a period of 20 years. At December 31, 2014, the present value of the future minimum lease payments due under the lease amounted to $4.6 million.
	In March 2007, we entered into a ground lease which ran through October 2048 for our Loudoun County, Virginia center. Pursuant to the terms of the lease which qualified as a capital lease, we had an option to purchase the land by giving notice during the fifth or tenth lease year. At December 31, 2013, our intention was to give notice and purchase the land during 2014; therefore the entire amount of the capital lease was in current maturities of long-term debt at that time. We purchased the land in August 2014.
	The following is a summary of property recorded under capital leases:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Gross land and buildings under capital lease	$	6,155	$	15,467
	Less accumulated amortization	3,760		3,635
	Net land and buildings under capital lease	$	2,395	$	11,832
	Future minimum lease payments and the present value of net minimum lease payments on capital leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	1,075
	2016	1,057
	2017	1,020
	2018	1,020
	2019	1,020
	Thereafter	1,403
	Total future minimum lease payments	6,595
	Less amounts representing interest	1,898
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	4,697
Current portion	575
	$	4,122
Financing Lease Obligation
In September 2008, a wholly owned subsidiary sold certain properties to LT FIT (AZ-MD) LLC, an affiliate of W.P. Carey & Co., LLC (“W.P. Carey”). The properties are located in Scottsdale, Arizona and Columbia, Maryland (the “Properties”), and were sold to W.P. Carey for approximately $60.5 million. Pursuant to the terms of a Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) between our subsidiary and W.P. Carey, our subsidiary will lease the properties from W.P. Carey. The Lease has a total term of 40 years, including an initial term of 20 years and four consecutive automatic renewal terms of five years each. Renewal options may only be exercised for all the Properties combined, and are automatically exercised if notice is not provided to W.P. Carey 18 months before the lease term ends. The initial rent will be approximately $5.7 million per year, increased after every year during the initial term and each year of any renewal option, if exercised, by an amount equal to 2% of the rent paid in the calendar year immediately before the effective date of the rent increase. The Lease is an “absolute net” lease requiring our subsidiary to maintain the Properties and to pay all operating expenses including real estate taxes and insurance for the benefit of W.P. Carey. Pursuant to the terms of a Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, we have guaranteed the subsidiary’s obligations under the Lease.
Prior to the filing of our 2014 annual report on Form 10-K, we determined we had inappropriately classified this transaction as an operating lease rather than accounting for the lease under the financing method. We concluded that the fixed price renewal options create a continuing involvement which requires the accounting under the financing method. See Note 12 for more information on the prior period impacts.
Under the financing method, we do not recognize any of the sale proceeds received from the lessor that contractually constitutes a payment to acquire the Properties. Instead, we treat such sale proceeds received as financing capital and accordingly record the proceeds as a long-term debt obligation in the consolidated balance sheets. We allocate the leaseback payments made to the lessor between interest expense and a reduction to the long-term debt obligation. Interest on the financing obligation is calculated using our incremental borrowing rate at the inception of the arrangement on the outstanding financing obligation. We determined our incremental borrowing rate by reference to the interest rates that we would have obtained in the financial markets to borrow amounts equal to the financing lease obligation over a term similar to the Lease term.
As of December 31, 2014, future minimum annual payments for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
2015	$	6,404
2016	6,532
2017	6,662
2018	6,796
2019	6,932
Thereafter	66,865
Total future minimum payments	$	100,191

Potential_SpinOff_of_Real_Esta

Potential Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Potential Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust	Potential Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust
	On August 25, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors and senior management team have initiated a process to explore a potential conversion of real estate assets into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The Board of Directors continue to review strategic alternatives, including the exploration of a conversion of real estate assets into a REIT.
	In connection with our evaluation of a REIT conversion, our Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan to prohibit ownership of more than 9.8% of our outstanding shares. The rights will expire upon the earlier of August 21, 2015, or the first business day after the closing of the proposed REIT conversion.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is comprised of:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current tax expense
	Federal	$	65,528		$	64,059		$	67,039
	State and local	8,927			7,000			7,653
	Total current tax expense	74,455			71,059			74,692
	Deferred tax expense
	Federal	326			5,659			(2,880		)
	State and local	(1,173		)	1,463			362
	Total deferred tax expense	(847		)	7,122			(2,518		)
	Non-current tax expense (benefit)	143			—			17
	Income tax provision	$	73,751		$	78,181		$	72,191
	The amount of deferred tax expense does not reconcile to the change in the deferred tax year end balances due to the tax effect of other comprehensive income or additional paid-in capital items.
	The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before income taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax provision at federal statutory rate	$	65,842		$	69,705		$	64,031
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,897			8,463			8,015
	Other, net	12			13			145
	Income tax provision	$	73,751		$	78,181		$	72,191
	Deferred income taxes are the result of provisions of the tax laws that either require or permit certain items of income or expense to be reported for tax purposes in different periods than they are reported for financial reporting. The tax effect of temporary differences that gives rise to the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued rent expense	$	30,870		$	29,655
	Other comprehensive income	3,339			3,912
	Accrued equity compensation	4,231			4,150
	Deferred revenue	2,004			3,502
	Foreign net operating loss	783			1,050
	Other	3,010			1,913
	Total deferred tax assets	44,237			44,182
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	(120,235		)	(120,676		)
	Partnership interest	(4,407		)	(4,622		)
	Costs related to deferred revenue	(5,766		)	(5,728		)
	Other	(4,348		)	(3,949		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(134,756		)	(134,975		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(90,519	)	$	(90,793	)
	Current deferred tax assets	$	10,122		$	10,615
	Current deferred tax liabilities	(3,433		)	(3,734		)
	Net current deferred tax assets	6,689			6,881
	Non-current deferred tax assets	34,115			33,567
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(131,323		)	(131,241		)
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	(97,208		)	(97,674		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(90,519	)	$	(90,793	)
	The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefit – beginning balance	$	795		$	746		$	868
	Gross increases – tax positions in current period	300			300			300
	Prior year decreases	—			—			(150		)
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(95		)	(251		)	(272		)
	Unrecognized tax benefit – ending balance	$	1,000		$	795		$	746
	Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
	We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. Related to the uncertain tax benefits noted above, we accrued penalties and interest of $0.1 million during 2014 and in total, as of December 31, 2014, had recognized a liability for penalties and interest of $0.1 million. During 2013, we accrued penalties and interest of $0.1 million and in total, as of December 31, 2013 had recognized a liability for penalties and interest of $0.1 million. During 2012, we accrued penalties and interest of $0.1 million and in total, as of December 31, 2012, had recognized a liability for penalties and interest of $0.1 million.
	We do not anticipate that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months.
	We are subject to taxation in the U.S., Canada and various states. Our tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011.
	We have an income tax net operating loss carryforward related to our Canada operations of approximately $2.9 million, which expires in 18 years.
	We consider the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. income taxes have been provided thereon. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of cash associated with indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings was approximately $0.8 million. We have not, nor do we anticipate the need to, repatriate funds to the U.S. to satisfy domestic liquidity needs arising in the ordinary course of business, including liquidity needs associated with our domestic debt service requirements.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	Stock Option and Incentive Plans
	The 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2004 Plan") originally reserved 3,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance. In 2009, our shareholders authorized an additional 1,750,000 shares. The types of awards that could be granted under the 2004 Plan included incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards. We use the term “restricted shares” to define nonvested shares granted to employees, whereas applicable accounting guidance reserves that term for fully vested and outstanding shares whose sale is contractually or governmentally prohibited for a specified period of time. In connection with approval of the 2004 Plan, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to cease making additional grants under prior stock option and incentive plans. The restricted shares generally vest over periods ranging from one to four years. As of December 31, 2014, we had granted a total of 1,929,665 options to purchase common stock under the 2004 Plan, of which options to purchase 59,110 shares were outstanding. We also granted a total of 3,294,359 restricted shares under the 2004 Plan, of which 61,350 restricted shares were unvested. In connection with approval of the 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), as discussed below, our Board of Directors approved a resolution to cease making additional grants under the 2004 Plan.
	The 2011 Plan reserved 2,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance. Under the 2011 Plan, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors administers the 2011 Plan and has the power to select the persons to receive awards and determine the type, size and terms of awards and establish objectives and conditions for earning awards. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2011 Plan include incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards. Eligible participants under the 2011 Plan included our officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Each award agreement specifies the number and type of award, together with any other terms and conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or its designees. The restricted shares generally vest over periods ranging from one to four years. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we granted 460,152 restricted shares under the 2011 Plan. The value of the restricted shares was based upon the closing price of our stock on the dates of issue which ranged from $47.05 to $54.47 during 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we had granted a total of 1,906,364 restricted shares under the 2011 Plan, of which 1,258,096 restricted shares were unvested. As of December 31, 2014, 1,012,661 shares remain available for grant under the 2011 Plan.
	Total share-based compensation expense, which includes stock option expense and restricted stock expense, included in our consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Share-based compensation expense related to restricted shares	$	12,783			$	12,349			$	14,566
	Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock purchase plan	120				120				120
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,903			$	12,469			$	14,686
	Summary of Restricted Stock Activity
		Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	1,902,083			$24.27
	Granted	1,052,466			$47.28
	Canceled	(30,289	)		$33.51
	Vested	(855,092	)		$22.54
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	2,069,168			$36.55
	Granted	363,106			$42.51
	Canceled	(141,898	)		$42.84
	Vested	(860,646	)		$25.33
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,429,730			$44.19
	Granted	460,152			$45.31
	Canceled	(238,276	)		$41.65
	Vested	(332,161	)		$40.66
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,319,445			$45.93
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we issued 460,152 shares, 363,106 shares and 1,052,466 shares of restricted stock, respectively, with an aggregate fair value of $20.8 million, $15.4 million and $49.8 million, respectively. The fair market value of restricted shares that became vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $13.5 million. The total value of each restricted stock grant, based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, is amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the related vesting period. As of December 31, 2014, there was $24.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
	Special 2009 Long-Term Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant
	In June 2009 and August 2010, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the grant of a total of 1,016,000 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) targets in 2011 and 2012. A specified diluted EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2011 and consequently, 50% of the then-outstanding restricted shares (representing 453,500 shares of restricted stock) vested. A specified diluted EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2012 and consequently, the remaining restricted shares (representing 448,000 shares of restricted stock) vested.
	In fourth quarter 2010, we determined that achieving the 2011 diluted EPS targets required for vesting of 50% of the restricted shares was probable. As a result, we recognized a cumulative, non-cash performance share-based compensation expense of $5.6 million in fourth quarter 2010 and an additional $3.9 million in 2011. In fourth quarter 2011, we determined that achieving the 2012 diluted EPS targets required for vesting of the remaining restricted shares was probable. As a result, we recognized a cumulative, non-cash performance share-based compensation expense of $6.8 million in fourth quarter 2011 and $2.6 million in 2012. All of the vested restricted shares were included in our share count at December 31, 2013 and 2014.
	Special 2012 Long-Term Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant
	In May, July and August 2012, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the grant of a total of 658,500 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets during performance periods that end on December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016. These shares are included in the overall number of 1,052,466 restricted shares granted during the year ended December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2014, 565,500 shares remained outstanding under this grant.
	The Compensation Committee set the cumulative diluted EPS targets at 1.5 times the compound annual growth rate under our then-current long range plan and the ROIC targets at 1.1 times the ROIC under our then-current long range plan. The following are the performance metrics underlying the targets:
		Cumulative Diluted EPS						ROIC
		Measurement Period		EPS Target				Measurement Period		ROIC Target
	2015 Performance Period	4/1/12						1/1/15
	50% vest if we achieve both performance targets	through						through
		12/31/15		$	13.68			12/31/15		8.9	%
	2016 Performance Period	4/1/12						1/1/16
	All/remaining vest if we achieve both performance targets	through						through
		12/31/16		$	18.96			12/31/16		9	%
	A maximum of $26.0 million could be recognized as compensation expense under this grant if all cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met. We do not believe that achievement of either the cumulative diluted EPS or the ROIC targets is currently probable, and, therefore, we did not recognize any compensation expense associated with the grant during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	If it becomes probable that the cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC performance targets will be achieved, a cumulative adjustment will be recorded and the remaining compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining performance period. If all of the targets had been considered probable at December 31, 2014, we would have recognized $16.8 million of non-cash performance share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2014. The probability of reaching the targets is evaluated each reporting period. If we later determined that it is no longer probable that the minimum cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC performance targets for the grants will be met, no further compensation expense would be recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense would be reversed. In the event that we do not achieve the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets for the performance period ending December 31, 2016, the restricted shares will be forfeited. None of these shares were included in our total diluted share count at December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	Summary of Stock Option Activity
		Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	407,200			$23.62		2.9		$9,429
	Exercised	(115,690	)		$20.25
	Canceled	—			$—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	291,510			$24.96		2		$7,073
	Exercised	(74,242	)		$23.36
	Canceled	(1,600	)		$8.00
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	215,668			$25.64		1.1		$4,616
	Exercised	(141,519	)		$20.55
	Canceled	(15,039	)		$31.90
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	59,110			$36.24		0.9		$1,204
	Vested at December 31, 2014	59,110			$36.24		0.9		$1,204
	No stock options have been granted since 2007. As of December 31, 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options, and all outstanding stock options were vested.
	The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing stock price at each year end and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders, had all option holders exercised their options on December 31 of each year presented above. The intrinsic value changes based on the fair market value of our stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.0 million, $1.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
	Our net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $2.9 million, $1.7 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The excess income tax benefit realized from stock option exercises was $1.3 million, $5.9 million and $8.5 million, respectively, for those same periods. This tax benefit is presented as a financing cash inflow with a corresponding offset included in cash flows from operating activities.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Our ESPP provides for the sale of up to 1,500,000 shares of our common stock to our employees at discounted purchase prices. The cost per share under this plan is 90% of the fair market value of our common stock on the last day of the purchase period, as defined. The first purchase period during 2014 under the ESPP began January 1, 2014 and ended June 30, 2014. The second purchase period began July 1, 2014 and ended December 31, 2014. Compensation expense under the ESPP, which was $0.1 million for each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, is based on the discount of 10% at the end of the purchase period. In 2014, $1.6 million was withheld from employees for the purpose of purchasing shares under the ESPP. There were 1,228,549 shares of common stock available for purchase under the ESPP as of December 31, 2014.
	Share Repurchase Plans
	In June 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market or otherwise for the primary purpose of offsetting the dilutive effect of shares issued under our ESPP. During 2014, we repurchased 32,178 shares for $1.5 million. As of December 31, 2014, there were 228,549 remaining shares authorized to be repurchased for this purpose.
	In August 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $60.0 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time. A total of 1,107,665 shares were repurchased under this program for $50.1 million. This authorization terminated in August 2013 with the authorization of a new share repurchase program.
	In August 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time. During 2014, we repurchased 3,462,445 shares under this program for $166.9 million. A total of 4,109,146 shares were repurchased under this program for $197.8 million. This authorization terminated on July 22, 2014 with the authorization of a new share repurchase program.
In July 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The authorization to repurchase shares terminates when the aggregate repurchase amount totals $200.0 million or at the close of business on June 30, 2016, whichever occurs first. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of our common stock and the program may be extended, modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not repurchase any shares under this program. As of December 31, 2014, there was $200.0 million remaining authorized under this program.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Segments [Abstract]
Operating Segments	Operating Segments
	Our operations are conducted mainly through our distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and spa centers in a resort-like environment. We aggregate the activities of our centers and other ancillary products and services into one reportable segment. Each of the centers has similar economic characteristics, services, product offerings and customers, and in-center revenues are derived primarily from services to our members. Each of the other ancillary products and services either directly or indirectly, through advertising or branding, complement the operations of the centers. Our chief operating decision maker uses EBITDA as the primary measure of operating segment performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer.
	The following table presents revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Membership dues	$	810,707	$	766,846	$	727,596
	Enrollment fees	12,224		13,941		15,346
	Personal training	201,479		184,522		169,074
	Other in-center	209,474		190,995		179,191
	Total center revenue	1,233,884		1,156,304		1,091,207
	Other revenue	56,736		49,600		35,740
	Total revenue	$	1,290,620	$	1,205,904	$	1,126,947

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Lease Commitments — We lease certain property under operating and financing leases, which require us to pay maintenance, insurance and other expenses in addition to annual rentals. The minimum annual payments under all noncancelable leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	36,030
	2016	35,475
	2017	34,897
	2018	34,955
	2019	34,748
	Thereafter	401,147
	Total minimum annual payments under all noncancelable operating leases	$	577,252
	Rent expense under operating leases was $33.6 million, $33.3 million and $31.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Certain lease agreements call for escalating lease payments over the term of the lease, which result in a deferred rent liability due to recognizing the expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
	Sale-Leaseback Transactions — In 2003, we financed two of our Michigan centers pursuant to the terms of a sale-leaseback transaction that qualified as an operating lease. Pursuant to the terms of the lease, we agreed to lease the centers for a period of 20 years, however we purchased the centers in June 2014.
	In August 2008, we, along with a wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Senior Housing Properties Trust (“Senior Housing”) providing for the sale of certain properties to Senior Housing in a sale-leaseback transaction. The properties are located in Alpharetta, Georgia; Allen, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Romeoville, Illinois (the “Properties”), and were sold to Senior Housing for $100.0 million. Pursuant to the terms of a Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) between our subsidiary and SNH LTF Properties LLC (“SNH”), the subsidiary will lease the Properties from SNH. The lease has a total term of 50 years, including an initial term of 20 years and six consecutive renewal terms of five years each. Renewal options may only be exercised for all the Properties combined, and must be exercised no less than 12 months before the lease term ends. The initial rent will be approximately $9.1 million per year, increased after every fifth year during the initial term and the first two renewal options, if exercised, by an amount equal to 10% of the rent paid in the calendar year immediately before the effective date of the rent increase. During the last four renewal terms, rent will be the greater of (i) 110% of the rent paid in the calendar month immediately before the renewal term commences or (ii) fair market rent, as mutually agreed by the parties or determined by a mutually agreed upon independent third party appraiser. The lease is a “triple net” lease requiring our subsidiary to maintain the Properties and to pay all operating expenses including real estate taxes and insurance for the benefit of Senior Housing. Pursuant to the terms of a Guaranty Agreement, we have guaranteed our subsidiary’s obligations under the Lease. We, or a substitute guarantor, must maintain a tangible net worth of at least $200.0 million. At December 31, 2014, the future minimum lease payments due under the lease amounted to $151.8 million.
	We account for the sale-leaseback transactions as operating leases. The gains we recognized upon completion of the sale-leaseback transactions, a total of $4.1 million, have been deferred and are being recognized over the lease term. At December 31, 2014, $2.8 million remains to be recognized.
	Purchase Commitments — We contract in advance for land purchases and construction services and materials, among other things. The purchase commitments were $164.8 million, $142.7 million and $93.8 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	TCPA Litigation — On April 17, 2014, a putative class action was filed against LTF Club Operations Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Life Time Fitness, Inc., in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. On June 13, 2014, LTF Club Operations Company, Inc. removed this action to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division. On April 23, 2014, a second putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. On April 23, 2014, a third putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. On July 1, 2014, a fourth putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. On January 26, 2015, a fifth putative class action was filed against Life Time Fitness, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. These actions are collectively referred to as the “TCPA Actions” or "TCPA Litigation."
	The TCPA Actions allege that we violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) when we, or a third party on our behalf, sent marketing text messages to plaintiffs’ cellular telephones using an automatic telephone dialing system without plaintiffs’ consent. Each plaintiff seeks certification of the class, injunctive relief, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, and an award of damages available under the TCPA, which include actual damages and statutory damages of $500 per violation or $1,500 per violation if the violation was willful. We deny the allegations.
	On October 15, 2014, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted our motion to transfer four of the TCPA Actions to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings (“MDL”). We have moved to transfer the fifth action, filed January 26, 2015, for consolidation in the MDL.
	The parties have agreed to a class settlement of the TCPA Litigation. On February 25, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The preliminary approval hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2015. We agreed to pay all costs of the settlement, including class notice, claims administration, court-awarded plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, court-awarded service awards, and awards to class members. Class members may claim either a cash award of $100 or a membership award that lets them pick either a free three-month single Gold membership or a $250 credit toward any access membership that covers the class member. The total settlement amount, as calculated under the agreement, is subject to a minimum of $10 million and a maximum of $15 million. Depending on the total number of claims submitted and the amount of attorneys’ fees awarded, the amounts of the cash award and membership award may be adjusted up or down to bring the total settlement amount within that range. For purposes of calculating the total settlement amount, every membership award that is timely and validly claimed counts as a payment of $250 (subject to adjustment).
	Because our cost to service a membership is less than the membership award, the amount of our reasonably estimable loss does not directly correspond to the amount of the total settlement amount as calculated under the agreement. Further, the amount of attorneys’ fees, the claims rate, and the mix of cash and membership awards all remain unknown at this time, and therefore, we believe our reasonably estimable loss is a range. Based on reasonable estimates of these factors, we have recorded a liability in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the amount of $4.7 million, which we believe represents the minimum amount of the range.
	Other Litigation — We are also engaged in other proceedings incidental to the normal course of business. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent uncertainties, including but not limited to court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental intervention. We will establish reserves for matters that are probable and estimable in amounts we believe are adequate to cover reasonable adverse judgments. Based upon the information available to us and discussions with legal counsel, it is our opinion that the outcome of the various legal actions and claims that are incidental to our business will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes of individual matters are not predictable with assurance.
	401(k) Savings and Investment Plan — We offer a 401(k) savings and investment plan (the 401(k) Plan) to substantially all full-time employees who have at least six months of service and are at least 21 years of age. We made discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan in the amount of $2.7 million, $2.3 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Letters of Credit — As of December 31, 2014, we had $13.8 million in irrevocable standby letters of credit outstanding, which were issued primarily to certain insurance carriers to guarantee payments of deductibles for various insurance programs, such as workers’ compensation and commercial liability insurance. Such letters of credit are secured by the collateral under our senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2014, no amounts had been drawn on any of these irrevocable standby letters of credit.
	As of December 31, 2014, we had posted bonds totaling $21.9 million related to construction activities and operational licensing.
	Guarantee — In May 2011, Bloomingdale LLC borrowed $7.3 million from a bank. Each of the members separately guaranteed one-third of the outstanding loan amount. As of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount of future payments under our one-third of the guarantee was $1.2 million. We have the right to recover from Bloomingdale LLC any amounts paid under the terms of the guarantee, but only after Bloomingdale LLC’s obligations to the bank have been satisfied.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions
	In October 2003, we leased a center located within a shopping center that is owned by a general partnership in which our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer has a 100% interest. We paid rent pursuant to this lease of $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The terms of the lease were negotiated by one of our independent directors on behalf of our company and were reviewed and approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Our Board of Directors, with assistance from a third-party expert, determined that the terms of the lease were at market rates.

Executive_Nonqualified_Plan

Executive Nonqualified Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Executive Nonqualified Plan [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation Arrangements Overall Description	Executive Nonqualified Plan
	During fiscal 2006, we implemented the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan of Life Time Fitness, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. This plan was established for the benefit of our highly compensated employees, which our plan defines as our employees whose projected compensation for the upcoming plan year would meet or exceed the IRS limit for determining highly compensated employees. This unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan allows participants the ability to defer and grow income for retirement and significant expenses in addition to contributions made to our 401(k) Plan.
	All highly compensated employees eligible to participate in the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan of Life Time Fitness, including but not limited to our executives, may elect to defer up to 50% of their annual base salary and/or annual bonus earnings to be paid in any coming year. The investment choices available to participants under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan are of the same type and risk categories as those offered under our 401(k) Plan and may be modified or changed by the participant or us at any time. Distributions can be paid out as in-service payments or at retirement. Retirement benefits can be paid out as a lump sum or in annual installments over a term of up to 10 years. We made matching contributions of $0.1 million to this plan during fiscal 2014. Any contributions to this plan vest to each participant according to their years of service with us. At December 31, 2014, $6.5 million had been deferred and is being held on behalf of the employees. This amount is reflected as an other long-term liability on the balance sheet.

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements	Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements
	Prior to the filing of our 2014 annual report on Form 10-K, we determined we had inappropriately classified a 2008 sale-leaseback transaction as an operating lease rather than accounting for the lease under the financing method, as the agreement did not transfer all of the other risks and rewards of ownership due to our continuing involvement with the property. We determined the error to be immaterial to the financial statement for all respective prior periods. The impact of these corrections to the 2013 and 2012 consolidated financial statements is summarized below.
	The following changes have been made to our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		As Previously Reported			Restated			As Previously Reported			Restated
	Center operations expense	$	696,209		$	689,246		$	655,887		$	648,924
	Other operating expense	64,401			64,558			52,170			52,327
	Depreciation and amortization expense	118,972			121,843			115,016			117,887
	Total operating expenses	981,280			977,345			918,719			914,784
	Income from operations	224,624			228,559			208,228			212,163
	Interest expense, net of interest income	(25,656		)	(30,800		)	(25,475		)	(30,697		)
	Total other income (expense)	(24,257		)	(29,401		)	(23,993		)	(29,215		)
	Income before income taxes	200,367			199,158			184,235			182,948
	Provision for income taxes	78,655			78,181			72,697			72,191
	Net income	121,712			120,977			111,538			110,757
	Basic earnings per common share	$	2.95		$	2.93		$	2.7		$	2.68
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.93		$	2.92		$	2.66		$	2.64
	The following changes have been made to our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013:
		As of December 31, 2013
		As Previously Reported			Restated
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,105,077		$	2,147,627
	Total assets	2,331,051			2,373,601
	Current portion of financing lease obligation	—			1,231
	Deferred revenue	35,032			34,875
	Total current liabilities	202,959			204,033
	Financing lease obligation, net of current portion	—			55,966
	Deferred rent liability	28,933			23,752
	Deferred income taxes	100,504			97,674
	Other liabilities	21,287			19,123
	Total liabilities	1,183,022			1,229,887
	Retained earnings	750,654			746,339
	Total shareholders' equity	1,148,029			1,143,714
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,331,051			2,373,601
	The following changes have been made to our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		As Previously Reported			Restated			As Previously Reported			Restated
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	258,417		$	259,429		$	255,745		$	256,557
	Net cash provided by financing activities	87,321			86,309			5,818			5,006
	The impact of the corrections on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 include decreases to net income totaling $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The impact of the corrections on the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 include decreases to net income totaling $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and a $3.0 million correction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2012.
	The notes to the consolidated financial statements have been corrected to give effect to these items.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following is a condensed summary of actual quarterly results of operations:
		2014								2013
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
	Total revenue	$	311,955	$	326,564	$	336,845	$	315,256	$	290,747	$	308,108	$	316,011	$	291,038
	Gross profit (1)	116,966		120,278		127,964		124,333		113,520		120,607		117,799		115,132
	Income from operations	55,058		58,477		67,807		48,019		53,358		61,710		63,840		49,651
	Net income	28,137		29,632		34,236		22,365		27,909		33,000		34,205		25,863
	Earnings per share (2):
	Basic (3)	$	0.69	$	0.76	$	0.91	$	0.59	$	0.68	$	0.8	$	0.83	$	0.63
	Diluted (3)	$	0.69	$	0.75	$	0.9	$	0.59	$	0.67	$	0.79	$	0.82	$	0.63
	-1	We define gross profit as total center revenue less center operations expenses.
	-2	See Note 2 for discussion on the computation of earnings per share.
	-3	The basic and diluted earnings per share by quarter include the impact of rounding within each quarter.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Life Time Fitness, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenue Recognition — We receive monthly membership dues for usage from our members. We offer members month-to-month memberships and recognize as revenue the monthly membership dues in the month to which they pertain.

Generally we also receive a one-time enrollment fee (including an administrative fee) at the time a member joins. The enrollment fees are nonrefundable after 14 days. Enrollment fees and related direct expenses, primarily sales commissions, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over an estimated average membership life of 33 months, which is based on historical membership experience. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our annual attrition rate fluctuated between 31.3% and 35.8%, resulting in the estimated average membership life remaining at 33 months during those periods. At December 31, 2014, our annual attrition rate was 35.2%.

If the direct expenses related to the enrollment fees exceed the enrollment fees for any center in a month, the amount of direct expenses in excess of the enrollment fees are expensed in the current period instead of deferred over the estimated average membership life. The amount of direct expenses in excess of enrollment fees totaled $28.7 million, $26.2 million and $20.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We provide a wide range of services at each of our centers, including personal training, spa, café and other member offerings. Revenue from spa and café services and products is recognized at the point of sale to the customer. Personal training revenue received in advance of training sessions and the related commissions are deferred and recognized based on historical member usage.

Other revenue includes revenue from our media, athletic events and related services, which includes our race registration and timing businesses, our health promotion programs and training and certification programs. Media advertising revenue is recognized over the duration of the advertising placement. For athletic events, revenue is generated primarily through sponsorship sales and race registration fees. Athletic event revenue and race registration revenue is recognized upon the completion of the event. Race timing revenue is recognized at the time of delivery to customer. Health revenue is recognized primarily at the time the service is performed.

Pre-Opening Operations — We generally operate a preview center up to five months prior to the planned opening of a center during which time memberships are sold as center construction is being completed. The revenue and direct membership acquisition costs, primarily sales commissions, incurred during the period prior to a center opening are deferred until the center opens and are then recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average membership life, beginning when the center opens. If the direct expenses related to the enrollment fees exceed the enrollment fees for any center, the amount of direct expenses in excess of the enrollment fees are expensed in the current period instead of deferred over the estimated average membership life. The related advertising, office, rent, labor and other expenses incurred during this period are expensed as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy

Cash and Cash Equivalents — We classify all unrestricted cash accounts and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash, Policy

Restricted Cash — We are required to keep funds in escrow accounts or on deposit at certain financial institutions related to certain of our lease and acquisition agreements. We or third parties may access the restricted cash after the occurrence of a specified event, as provided for under the respective agreements.

Accounts Receivable, Policy

Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable is presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventory, Policy

Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost-or-market value and are removed from the balance on a first-in-first-out basis.

Center Operating Supplies and Inventories, Policy

Center Operating Supplies and Inventories — Our operating supplies are primarily center supplies such as towels, pool chemicals and materials for our child centers and other activities. Our inventories primarily consist of spa, café and nutritional products as well as personal training products including heart rate monitors. Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost-or-market value and are removed from the balance on a first-in-first-out basis.

Property and Equipment, Policy

Property and Equipment — Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Improvements are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations when incurred.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for tax reporting purposes.

Property and equipment consist of the following:

Depreciable

December 31,

Lives

2014

2013

Land

$

362,001

$

330,800

Buildings and related fixtures

3-39 years

2,024,916

1,721,635

Leasehold improvements

1-20 years

188,867

173,067

Construction in progress

132,098

160,560

Total land, buildings, leaseholds and construction in process

2,707,882

2,386,062

Equipment:

Fitness

3-7 years

140,561

126,692

Other equipment

3-7 years

115,243

101,450

Computer and telephone

3-7 years

81,901

71,623

Capitalized software

3-5 years

104,327

87,707

Decor and signage

5 years

22,706

20,134

Audio/visual

5 years

39,370

35,064

Furniture and fixtures

5-7 years

23,531

19,946

Total equipment

527,639

462,616

Property and equipment, gross

3,235,521

2,848,678

Less accumulated depreciation

817,590

701,051

Property and equipment, net

$

2,417,931

$

2,147,627

At December 31, 2014, we had six centers under construction which we plan to open in 2015. Construction in progress, including land for future development, totaled $172.1 million at December 31, 2014 and $202.8 million at December 31, 2013.

Included in the construction in progress balances are site development costs which consist of legal, engineering, architectural, environmental, feasibility and other direct expenditures incurred for certain new center projects. Capitalization commences when acquisition of a particular property is deemed probable by management. Should a specific project be deemed not viable for construction, any capitalized costs related to that project are charged to operations at the time of that determination. Costs incurred prior to the point at which the acquisition is deemed probable are expensed as incurred. Upon completion of a project, the site development costs are classified as property and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Site development costs were $2.1 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Capitalized software includes our internally developed web-based systems to facilitate member enrollment and management, marketing-based website development, as well as point of sale system enhancements and our payroll, human resources and procure-to-pay software.

We capitalize interest during the construction period of our centers and this capitalized interest is included in the cost of the building. We capitalized interest of $2.8 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Other equipment consists primarily of café, spa, playground and laundry equipment.

Business Combinations, Policy

We do not present pro forma information for these acquisitions given the immateriality of their results individually and in the aggregate to our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions — We account for business acquisitions in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations. This standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction and establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Certain provisions of this standard prescribe, among other things, the determination of acquisition-date fair value of consideration paid in a business combination (including contingent consideration) and the exclusion of transaction and acquisition-related restructuring costs from acquisition accounting.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Policy

Impairment of Long-lived Assets — The carrying value of long-lived assets is reviewed annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable. We consider a history of consistent and significant operating losses, or the inability to recover net book value over the remaining useful life, to be our primary indicator of potential impairment. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at an individual center level or ancillary business. The determination of whether impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows directly related to that center or ancillary business, compared to the carrying value of these assets. If an impairment has occurred, the amount of impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of these assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, Policy

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — As part of our risk management program, we may periodically use interest rate swaps to manage known market exposures. Terms of derivative instruments are structured to match the terms of the risk being managed and are generally held to maturity.

In August 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap contract that effectively fixed the rates paid on a total of $200.0 million of variable rate borrowings at 1.32% plus the applicable spread (which depends on our EBITDAR leverage ratio) until June 2016. We pay 1.32% and receive LIBOR on the notional amount of $200.0 million. The contract has been designated as a cash flow hedge against interest rate volatility. Changes in the fair market value of the swap contract are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax. As of December 31, 2014, the $1.4 million fair market value loss, net of tax, of the swap contract was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of our consolidated balance sheets and the $2.3 million gross fair market value of the swap contract was included in long-term debt. For information regarding the swap contract, see Note 4.

On an ongoing basis, we assess whether the interest rate swap used in this hedging transaction is “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged item by comparing the current terms of the swap and the debt to assure they continue to coincide and through an evaluation of the continued ability of the counterparty to the swap to honor its obligations under the swap. If it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or hedge accounting is discontinued, any change in fair value of the derivative since the last date at which it was determined to be effective would be recognized in earnings.

Goodwill, Policy

Goodwill — The goodwill acquired during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is primarily from the acquisition of certain athletic events as well as other smaller acquisitions. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

Balance at December 31, 2012

$

37,176

Goodwill acquired

12,019

Balance at December 31, 2013

49,195

Goodwill acquired

11,906

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

61,101

Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized but instead tested for impairment annually at September 30, or more frequently if necessary. We test goodwill at the reporting unit level which is one level below the operating segment. For us, this is generally the individual center or athletic event level.

Intangible Assets, Policy

Intangible Assets — Intangible assets are comprised of trade names, leasehold rights, curriculum- and technology-based intangible assets and customer relationships. Intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead tested for impairment at least annually.

We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis each September 30. We are also required to evaluate these assets for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the intangible asset below its carrying amount. Based upon our review and analysis, no material impairments were deemed to have occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.

The following table summarizes the changes in our gross intangible balance:

Balance at December 31, 2012

$

28,531

Trade/brand names acquired

5,347

Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles acquired

100

Balance at December 31, 2013

33,978

Leasehold rights acquired

9,760

Trade/brand names acquired

5,378

Customer relationships acquired

1,925

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

51,041

The leasehold rights acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014 are related to our acquisition of a ground lease for a center expected to open in 2015. The trade/brand names and customer relationships acquired during 2014 are related to the acquisition of certain athletic events.

The trade/brand names acquired during the year ended December 31, 2013 are related to the acquisition of certain athletic events. The curriculum-and technology-based intangible acquired during 2013 is related to a patent purchased for use in our race registration and timing business.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

December 31,

2014

2013

Gross

Accumulated Amortization

Net

Gross

Accumulated Amortization

Net

Leasehold rights

$

16,151

$

1,958

$

14,193

$

6,392

$

1,435

$

4,957

Trade/brand names

20,858

3,012

17,846

15,479

1,011

14,468

Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles

6,695

1,864

4,831

6,695

1,286

5,409

Customer relationships

7,337

1,665

5,672

5,412

947

4,465

Total intangible assets

$

51,041

$

8,499

$

42,542

$

33,978

$

4,679

$

29,299

Leasehold rights have useful lives ranging from six to 40 years. Approximately $9.3 million of our trade/brand names have indefinite useful lives. The remaining $11.6 million of our trade/brand names have a weighted-average useful life of approximately 11 years. Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles have useful lives ranging from two to 15 years. The customer relationship intangibles have useful lives of 10 years.

Other Assets, Policy

Other Assets — We record other assets at cost. Amortization of financing costs is computed over the periods of the related debt financing.

Land Held for Sale, Policy

Land held for sale consists of excess land purchased as part of our original center site acquisitions. All land held for sale is currently being marketed for sale. If the excess land is currently under contract for sale, the cost is reflected as current and listed within prepaid expenses and other current assets. Land held for sale is stated at the lower-of-cost or fair market value less estimated costs to sell.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy

Other Litigation — We are also engaged in other proceedings incidental to the normal course of business. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent uncertainties, including but not limited to court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental intervention. We will establish reserves for matters that are probable and estimable in amounts we believe are adequate to cover reasonable adverse judgments. Based upon the information available to us and discussions with legal counsel, it is our opinion that the outcome of the various legal actions and claims that are incidental to our business will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcomes of individual matters are not predictable with assurance.

Income Taxes, Policy

Income Taxes — We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would record a valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We recognize, measure, present and disclose uncertain tax positions that we have taken or expect to take in our income tax returns. We recognize a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.

Earnings Per Common Share, Policy

Earnings per Common Share — Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each year. Diluted EPS is computed similarly to basic EPS, except that the denominator is increased for the conversion of any dilutive common stock equivalents, the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method and unvested restricted stock awards using the treasury stock method.

Dividends, Policy

Dividends — We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to invest all future earnings into the operation and expansion of our business or the repurchase of shares and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our credit facility limits the amount of dividends we may pay without the consent of the lenders. The payment of any dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, outstanding indebtedness and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy

Share-Based Compensation — We maintain share-based incentive plans. Under applicable accounting standards, the fair value of share-based compensation is determined at the grant date and the recognition of the related expense is recorded over the period in which the share-based compensation vests.

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the authority to select the persons to receive awards and determine the type, size and terms of awards and establish objectives and conditions for earning awards, and the authority to delegate that authority. The types of awards that may be granted include incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards. The value of restricted shares was based upon the closing price of our stock on the dates of issue. The restricted shares generally vest over periods ranging from one to four years. As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,012,661 shares available for grant.

We also have performance-based incentive plans. In June 2009 and August 2010, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of a total of 1,016,000 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain diluted EPS targets in 2011 and 2012. A specified EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2011 and 50% of the restricted shares vested. A specified EPS target was achieved for fiscal 2012 and the remaining 50% of the restricted shares vested. The probability of reaching the targets was evaluated each reporting period. A total of $18.8 million (pretax) was recognized as compensation expense with respect to this grant.

In May, July and August 2012, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of a total of 658,500 shares of long-term performance-based restricted stock to serve as an incentive to our senior management team to achieve certain cumulative diluted EPS and return on invested capital (“ROIC”) targets during performance periods that end on December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016. The cumulative diluted EPS target measures cumulative diluted EPS for each quarter during the period from April 1, 2012 to the end of the applicable performance period. These targets are $13.68 cumulative diluted EPS through 2015 and $18.96 cumulative diluted EPS through 2016. The ROIC target is measured in the last year of the applicable performance period. These targets are 8.9% for 2015 and 9.0% for 2016. If the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met or exceeded for the performance period ending December 31, 2015, 50% of the restricted shares will vest. If the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met or exceeded for the performance period ending December 31, 2016, all of the restricted shares will vest. In the event that we do not achieve the specified cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets for the performance period ending December 31, 2016, the restricted shares will be forfeited. A maximum of $26.0 million could be recognized as compensation expense with respect to this grant if all cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC targets are met.

We do not believe that achievement of either the cumulative diluted EPS or the ROIC targets is currently probable, and, therefore, we did not recognize any compensation expense associated with the grant during the year ended December 31, 2014. If all of the targets had been considered probable at December 31, 2014, we would have recognized $16.8 million of non-cash performance share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2014. If it becomes probable that the cumulative diluted EPS and ROIC performance targets will be achieved, a cumulative adjustment will be recorded and the remaining compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining performance period. The probability of reaching the targets is evaluated each reporting period.

Our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) provides for the sale of shares of our common stock to our employees at discounted purchase prices. The cost per share under this plan is 90% of the fair market value of our common stock on the last day of the purchase period, as defined. Compensation expense under the ESPP is based on the discount of 10% at the end of the purchase period.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

Fair Value Measurements — The accounting guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance applies to all assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. This enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The guidance requires that each asset and liability carried at fair value be classified into one of the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing Eurodollar interest rates, Eurodollar yield curve rates and current fair values as quoted by recognized dealers, and also includes consideration of counterparty credit risk. The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument:

Fair Value Measurements Using:

Quoted Prices in

Significant Other

Significant

Total

Active Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

Fair

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

Value

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Interest rate swap liability as of

December 31, 2014

$2,331

$—

$2,331

$—

Interest rate swap liability as of

December 31, 2013

$3,762

$—

$3,762

$—

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis relate primarily to our tangible fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, which are remeasured when the derived fair value is below carrying value on our consolidated balance sheets. For these assets, we do not periodically adjust carrying value to fair value except in the event of impairment. If we determine that impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the asset would be reduced to fair value and the difference would be recorded as a loss within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations.

We had no remeasurements of such assets or liabilities to fair value during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

The carrying amounts related to cash and cash equivalents (Level 1), accounts receivable, income tax receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of such instruments.

The fair value of our long-term debt and capital leases are estimated based on estimated current rates for debt with similar terms, credit worthiness and the same remaining maturities. For variable rate loans that re-price frequently, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated based on the discounted cash flows of the loans using current market rates, which are estimated based on recent financing transactions (Level 2). The fair value estimates presented are based on information available to us as of December 31, 2014. These fair value estimates have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since that date, and current estimates of fair values may differ significantly.

Comprehensive Income, Policy

Comprehensive Income — Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. For us, the difference between net income as reported on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income is a loss of $3.8 million. This difference is related to the interest rate swap contract and foreign currency translation due to expenditures for initial construction costs for the construction and operations of one open center and one center under construction, in Toronto, Canada, our first international locations. For more information on the swap contract, see Note 4.

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, we use estimates based on the best information available. We use estimates for such items as depreciable lives, probability of meeting certain performance targets, tax provisions and deferred personal training revenue. We also use estimates for calculating the amortization period for deferred enrollment fee revenue and associated direct costs, which are based on the historical estimated average membership life. We revise the recorded estimates when better information is available, facts change or we can determine actual amounts. These revisions can affect our consolidated operating results.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

New Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us in 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We are in the process of selecting a transition method and determining the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Segment Reporting, Policy

Our operations are conducted mainly through our distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and spa centers in a resort-like environment. We aggregate the activities of our centers and other ancillary products and services into one reportable segment. Each of the centers has similar economic characteristics, services, product offerings and customers, and in-center revenues are derived primarily from services to our members. Each of the other ancillary products and services either directly or indirectly, through advertising or branding, complement the operations of the centers. Our chief operating decision maker uses EBITDA as the primary measure of operating segment performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer.

Sale Leaseback Transactions, Policy

We account for the sale-leaseback transactions as operating leases. The gains we recognized upon completion of the sale-leaseback transactions, a total of $4.1 million, have been deferred and are being recognized over the lease term.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts receivable is presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The rollforward of these allowances is as follows:
		December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts — beginning of period	$	180			$	213			$	167
	Provisions	829				334				675
	Write-offs against allowance	(385		)		(367		)		(629		)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts — end of period	$	624			$	180			$	213
Schedule of Center Operating Supplies and Inventories	These balances are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Center operating supplies	$	7,238			$	8,658
	In-center businesses inventory and supplies	23,393				21,586
	Apparel and other	5,305				2,534
	Total center operating supplies and inventories	$	35,936			$	32,778
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred costs associated with personal training deferred revenue	$	5,101			$	4,691
	Prepaid lease obligations	3,781				3,843
	Prepaid marketing and media expenses	3,870				3,653
	Prepaid maintenance agreements	3,617				4,787
	Prepaid licenses and subscriptions	3,629				2,548
	Other prepaid expenses	1,580				2,391
	Land held for sale – short-term	293				839
	Canadian sales tax receivable	1,153				944
	Other current assets	2,820				2,106
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	25,844			$	25,802
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following:
		Depreciable		December 31,
		Lives		2014				2013
	Land			$	362,001			$	330,800
	Buildings and related fixtures	3-39 years		2,024,916				1,721,635
	Leasehold improvements	1-20 years		188,867				173,067
	Construction in progress			132,098				160,560
	Total land, buildings, leaseholds and construction in process			2,707,882				2,386,062
	Equipment:
	Fitness	3-7 years		140,561				126,692
	Other equipment	3-7 years		115,243				101,450
	Computer and telephone	3-7 years		81,901				71,623
	Capitalized software	3-5 years		104,327				87,707
	Decor and signage	5 years		22,706				20,134
	Audio/visual	5 years		39,370				35,064
	Furniture and fixtures	5-7 years		23,531				19,946
	Total equipment			527,639				462,616
	Property and equipment, gross			3,235,521				2,848,678
	Less accumulated depreciation			817,590				701,051
	Property and equipment, net			$	2,417,931			$	2,147,627
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	37,176
	Goodwill acquired	12,019
	Balance at December 31, 2013	49,195
	Goodwill acquired	11,906
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	61,101
Schedule of Other Assets	Other assets consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Financing costs, net	$	12,076			$	10,393
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (see Note 3)	5,147				4,761
	Land held for sale	17,338				15,787
	Executive nonqualified plan (see Note 11)	5,780				5,410
	Other	4,414				6,333
	Total other assets	$	44,755			$	42,684
Schedule of Changes in Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in our gross intangible balance:
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	28,531
	Trade/brand names acquired	5,347
	Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles acquired	100
	Balance at December 31, 2013	33,978
	Leasehold rights acquired	9,760
	Trade/brand names acquired	5,378
	Customer relationships acquired	1,925
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	51,041
Schedule of Carrying Value of Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	Intangible assets consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014											2013
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net			Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Net
	Leasehold rights	$	16,151			$	1,958			$	14,193		$	6,392	$	1,435	$	4,957
	Trade/brand names	20,858				3,012				17,846			15,479		1,011		14,468
	Curriculum- and technology-based intangibles	6,695				1,864				4,831			6,695		1,286		5,409
	Customer relationships	7,337				1,665				5,672			5,412		947		4,465
	Total intangible assets	$	51,041			$	8,499			$	42,542		$	33,978	$	4,679	$	29,299
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	As of December 31, 2014, expected amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter was as follows:
	2015	$	3,253
	2016	2,814
	2017	2,715
	2018	2,715
	2019	2,715
	Thereafter	19,043
	Total expected amortization expense for intangible assets	$	33,255
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued expenses consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Payroll related	$	15,375			$	14,410
	Real estate taxes	17,748				18,939
	Center operating costs	12,737				15,868
	Insurance	6,670				6,495
	Interest	2,061				1,469
	Income taxes	—				59
	Marketing and information technology accruals	1,919				1,642
	Other	14,068				8,553
	Total accrued expenses	$	70,578			$	67,435
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are shown below:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Net income	$	114,370			$	120,977			$	110,757
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	38,793				41,263				41,345
	Effect of dilutive stock options	11				85				116
	Effect of dilutive restricted stock awards	124				134				511
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	38,928				41,482				41,972
	Basic earnings per common share	$	2.95			$	2.93			$	2.68
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.94			$	2.92			$	2.64
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument:
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
				Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Total		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Fair		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap liability as of
	December 31, 2014	$2,331		$—		$2,331		$—
	Interest rate swap liability as of
	December 31, 2013	$3,762		$—		$3,762		$—
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The following table presents the carrying value and the estimated fair value of long-term debt:
		December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value
	Fixed-rate debt	$	628,937			$	626,206
	Obligations under capital leases	4,697				5,682
	Floating-rate debt	567,276				567,276
	Total	$	1,200,910			$	1,199,164
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component (net of tax):
		Gains (Losses) on Cash Flows Hedge				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(3,631	)		$	(1,170	)		$	(4,801	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,374				(2,188		)		(814		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	(2,257		)		(3,358		)		(5,615		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	859				(4,677		)		(3,818		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(1,398	)		$	(8,035	)		$	(9,433	)
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	Decreases (increases) in operating assets and increases (decreases) in operating liabilities are as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Accounts receivable	$	(1,917	)		$	685			$	(2,211	)
	Income tax receivable	(5,898		)		(6,698		)		(5,026		)
	Center operating supplies and inventories	(3,151		)		(5,555		)		(3,093		)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(945		)		3,190				5,022
	Deferred membership origination costs	65				3,329				2,172
	Accounts payable	(2,134		)		(3,986		)		10,160
	Accrued expenses	4,262				10,404				12,568
	Deferred revenue	1,000				(5,918		)		3,108
	Deferred rent liability	790				5,741				(2,284		)
	Other liabilities	480				709				1,727
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities	$	(7,448	)		$	1,901			$	22,143
	Our capital expenditures were as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Cash purchases of property and equipment	$	432,259			$	348,948			$	224,194
	Non-cash change in construction accounts payable	(15,370		)		22,134				3,316
	Other non-cash changes to property and equipment	(2,708		)		(5,964		)		5,604
	Total capital expenditures	$	414,181			$	365,118			$	233,114

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ta

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Credit facility, interest only due monthly at interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 1.25% to 2.25% or base plus 0.25% to 1.25%, expiring May 2019, collateralized by certain personal property	$	733,750	$	510,500
	Interest rate swap on notional amount of $200,000 at a fixed annual rate of 1.32% plus the applicable spread, expires June 2016	2,331		3,762
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $632 including interest at 6.03%, expiring February 2017 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings	93,399		95,207
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $531 including interest at 5.06%, expiring February 2024 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	78,063		—
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $669 including interest at 4.70%, expiring August 2027 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	76,537		—
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $503 including interest at 5.75%, expiring December 2016 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings	66,052		68,173
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $775 including interest at 4.45%, expiring March 2023 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	64,159		70,457
	Mortgage notes payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $423 including interest at 4.48%, expiring September 2026 and collateralized by certain related real estate and buildings.	46,354		49,287
	Variable rate demand notes, interest due monthly at a variable rate resetting weekly, principal due annually according to an agreement with a Letter of Credit provider that secures the notes which mature in July 2033	31,195		31,815
	Mortgage note payable with monthly interest and principal payments totaling $27 including interest at 7.10%, expiring May 2024 and collateralized by certain related real estate and building	2,230		2,397
	Special assessments payable	2,143		2,035
	Total debt (excluding obligations under capital leases)	1,196,213		833,633
	Obligations under capital leases (see below)	4,697		14,965
	Total debt	1,200,910		848,598
	Less current maturities	22,455		24,505
	Total long-term debt	$	1,178,455	$	824,093
Schedule of Aggregate Annual Future Maturities of Long-term Debt	Aggregate annual future maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital leases) at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	21,880
	2016	86,733
	2017	108,938
	2018	20,363
	2019	755,000
	Thereafter	203,299
	Total future maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital leases)	$	1,196,213
Schedule of Property and Equipment Recorded Under Capital Leases	The following is a summary of property recorded under capital leases:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Gross land and buildings under capital lease	$	6,155	$	15,467
	Less accumulated amortization	3,760		3,635
	Net land and buildings under capital lease	$	2,395	$	11,832
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	Future minimum lease payments and the present value of net minimum lease payments on capital leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	1,075
	2016	1,057
	2017	1,020
	2018	1,020
	2019	1,020
	Thereafter	1,403
	Total future minimum lease payments	6,595
	Less amounts representing interest	1,898
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	4,697
	Current portion	575
		$	4,122
Schedule of Financing Lease, Future Minimum Annual Payments	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum annual payments for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
	2015	$	6,404
	2016	6,532
	2017	6,662
	2018	6,796
	2019	6,932
	Thereafter	66,865
	Total future minimum payments	$	100,191

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	The provision for income taxes is comprised of:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current tax expense
	Federal	$	65,528		$	64,059		$	67,039
	State and local	8,927			7,000			7,653
	Total current tax expense	74,455			71,059			74,692
	Deferred tax expense
	Federal	326			5,659			(2,880		)
	State and local	(1,173		)	1,463			362
	Total deferred tax expense	(847		)	7,122			(2,518		)
	Non-current tax expense (benefit)	143			—			17
	Income tax provision	$	73,751		$	78,181		$	72,191
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before income taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax provision at federal statutory rate	$	65,842		$	69,705		$	64,031
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,897			8,463			8,015
	Other, net	12			13			145
	Income tax provision	$	73,751		$	78,181		$	72,191
Summary of Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Table Text Block]	The tax effect of temporary differences that gives rise to the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued rent expense	$	30,870		$	29,655
	Other comprehensive income	3,339			3,912
	Accrued equity compensation	4,231			4,150
	Deferred revenue	2,004			3,502
	Foreign net operating loss	783			1,050
	Other	3,010			1,913
	Total deferred tax assets	44,237			44,182
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	(120,235		)	(120,676		)
	Partnership interest	(4,407		)	(4,622		)
	Costs related to deferred revenue	(5,766		)	(5,728		)
	Other	(4,348		)	(3,949		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(134,756		)	(134,975		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(90,519	)	$	(90,793	)
	Current deferred tax assets	$	10,122		$	10,615
	Current deferred tax liabilities	(3,433		)	(3,734		)
	Net current deferred tax assets	6,689			6,881
	Non-current deferred tax assets	34,115			33,567
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(131,323		)	(131,241		)
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	(97,208		)	(97,674		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(90,519	)	$	(90,793	)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefit – beginning balance	$	795		$	746		$	868
	Gross increases – tax positions in current period	300			300			300
	Prior year decreases	—			—			(150		)
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(95		)	(251		)	(272		)
	Unrecognized tax benefit – ending balance	$	1,000		$	795		$	746

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Total Share-Based Compensation Expense Included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations	Total share-based compensation expense, which includes stock option expense and restricted stock expense, included in our consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Share-based compensation expense related to restricted shares	$	12,783			$	12,349			$	14,566
	Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock purchase plan	120				120				120
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12,903			$	12,469			$	14,686
Summary of Restricted Stock Activity
		Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	1,902,083			$24.27
	Granted	1,052,466			$47.28
	Canceled	(30,289	)		$33.51
	Vested	(855,092	)		$22.54
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	2,069,168			$36.55
	Granted	363,106			$42.51
	Canceled	(141,898	)		$42.84
	Vested	(860,646	)		$25.33
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,429,730			$44.19
	Granted	460,152			$45.31
	Canceled	(238,276	)		$41.65
	Vested	(332,161	)		$40.66
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,319,445			$45.93
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares Award Measurement Target Metrics	The following are the performance metrics underlying the targets:
		Cumulative Diluted EPS						ROIC
		Measurement Period		EPS Target				Measurement Period		ROIC Target
	2015 Performance Period	4/1/12						1/1/15
	50% vest if we achieve both performance targets	through						through
		12/31/15		$	13.68			12/31/15		8.9	%
	2016 Performance Period	4/1/12						1/1/16
	All/remaining vest if we achieve both performance targets	through						through
		12/31/16		$	18.96			12/31/16		9	%
Summary of Stock Option Activity
		Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	407,200			$23.62		2.9		$9,429
	Exercised	(115,690	)		$20.25
	Canceled	—			$—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	291,510			$24.96		2		$7,073
	Exercised	(74,242	)		$23.36
	Canceled	(1,600	)		$8.00
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	215,668			$25.64		1.1		$4,616
	Exercised	(141,519	)		$20.55
	Canceled	(15,039	)		$31.90
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	59,110			$36.24		0.9		$1,204
	Vested at December 31, 2014	59,110			$36.24		0.9		$1,204

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Segments [Abstract]
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services	The following table presents revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Membership dues	$	810,707	$	766,846	$	727,596
	Enrollment fees	12,224		13,941		15,346
	Personal training	201,479		184,522		169,074
	Other in-center	209,474		190,995		179,191
	Total center revenue	1,233,884		1,156,304		1,091,207
	Other revenue	56,736		49,600		35,740
	Total revenue	$	1,290,620	$	1,205,904	$	1,126,947

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	The minimum annual payments under all noncancelable leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	36,030
	2016	35,475
	2017	34,897
	2018	34,955
	2019	34,748
	Thereafter	401,147
	Total minimum annual payments under all noncancelable operating leases	$	577,252

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio1

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of Error Corrections	The following changes have been made to our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013:
		As of December 31, 2013
		As Previously Reported			Restated
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,105,077		$	2,147,627
	Total assets	2,331,051			2,373,601
	Current portion of financing lease obligation	—			1,231
	Deferred revenue	35,032			34,875
	Total current liabilities	202,959			204,033
	Financing lease obligation, net of current portion	—			55,966
	Deferred rent liability	28,933			23,752
	Deferred income taxes	100,504			97,674
	Other liabilities	21,287			19,123
	Total liabilities	1,183,022			1,229,887
	Retained earnings	750,654			746,339
	Total shareholders' equity	1,148,029			1,143,714
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,331,051			2,373,601
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		As Previously Reported			Restated			As Previously Reported			Restated
	Center operations expense	$	696,209		$	689,246		$	655,887		$	648,924
	Other operating expense	64,401			64,558			52,170			52,327
	Depreciation and amortization expense	118,972			121,843			115,016			117,887
	Total operating expenses	981,280			977,345			918,719			914,784
	Income from operations	224,624			228,559			208,228			212,163
	Interest expense, net of interest income	(25,656		)	(30,800		)	(25,475		)	(30,697		)
	Total other income (expense)	(24,257		)	(29,401		)	(23,993		)	(29,215		)
	Income before income taxes	200,367			199,158			184,235			182,948
	Provision for income taxes	78,655			78,181			72,697			72,191
	Net income	121,712			120,977			111,538			110,757
	Basic earnings per common share	$	2.95		$	2.93		$	2.7		$	2.68
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.93		$	2.92		$	2.66		$	2.64
	The following changes have been made to our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		As Previously Reported			Restated			As Previously Reported			Restated
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	258,417		$	259,429		$	255,745		$	256,557
	Net cash provided by financing activities	87,321			86,309			5,818			5,006

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	The following is a condensed summary of actual quarterly results of operations:
		2014								2013
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter
	Total revenue	$	311,955	$	326,564	$	336,845	$	315,256	$	290,747	$	308,108	$	316,011	$	291,038
	Gross profit (1)	116,966		120,278		127,964		124,333		113,520		120,607		117,799		115,132
	Income from operations	55,058		58,477		67,807		48,019		53,358		61,710		63,840		49,651
	Net income	28,137		29,632		34,236		22,365		27,909		33,000		34,205		25,863
	Earnings per share (2):
	Basic (3)	$	0.69	$	0.76	$	0.91	$	0.59	$	0.68	$	0.8	$	0.83	$	0.63
	Diluted (3)	$	0.69	$	0.75	$	0.9	$	0.59	$	0.67	$	0.79	$	0.82	$	0.63
	-1	We define gross profit as total center revenue less center operations expenses.
	-2	See Note 2 for discussion on the computation of earnings per share.
	-3	The basic and diluted earnings per share by quarter include the impact of rounding within each quarter.

Nature_of_Business_Details

Nature of Business (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014
	Center
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	113
MINNESOTA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	23
TEXAS
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	18
ILLINOIS
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	9
GEORGIA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	6
MICHIGAN
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	7
NORTH CAROLINA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	6
OHIO
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	6
ARIZONA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	5
COLORADO
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	4
VIRGINIA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	4
INDIANA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	3
NEW JERSEY
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	3
KANSAS
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	2
ALABAMA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
MARYLAND
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	2
FLORIDA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	2
MISSOURI
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
NEBRASKA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
NEVADA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	2
NEW YORK
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	2
OKLAHOMA
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
TENNESSEE
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
UTAH
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1
ONTARIO
Number of Centers [Abstract]
Number of centers	1

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Enrollment Fee Refund Period	14 days
Estimated average membership life	33 months
Attrition rate	35.20%
Direct expenses in excess of enrollment fees	$28.70	$26.20	$20.70
Period of Pre-Opening Operations	5 months
Maximum [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Attrition rate				35.80%
Minimum [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Attrition rate				31.30%

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts - beginning of period	$180	$213	$167
Provisions	829	334	675
Write-offs against allowance	-385	-367	-629
Allowance for doubtful accounts - end of period	$624	$180	$213

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Center Operating Supplies and Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Center operating supplies	$7,238	$8,658
In-center business inventory and supplies	23,393	21,586
Apparel and other	5,305	2,534
Total center operating supplies and inventories	$35,936	$32,778

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Deferred costs associated with personal training deferred revenue	$5,101	$4,691
Prepaid lease obligations	3,781	3,843
Prepaid marketing and media expenses	3,870	3,653
Prepaid maintenance agreements	3,617	4,787
Prepaid licenses and subscriptions	3,629	2,548
Other prepaid expenses	1,580	2,391
Land held-for-sale -- short-term	293	839
Canadian sales tax receivable	1,153	944
Other current assets	2,820	2,106
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$25,844	$25,802

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Center
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$3,235,521,000	$2,848,678,000
Less accumulated depreciation	817,590,000	701,051,000
Property and equipment, net	2,417,931,000	2,147,627,000
Number of centers under construction	6
Construction in progress	172,100,000	202,800,000
Construction site development costs	2,100,000	1,500,000
Capitalized interest	2,800,000	3,300,000	1,100,000
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	39 years
Land [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	362,001,000	330,800,000
Buildings and Related Fixtures [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	2,024,916,000	1,721,635,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	188,867,000	173,067,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	132,098,000	160,560,000
Land and Building [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	2,707,882,000	2,386,062,000
Fitness [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	140,561,000	126,692,000
Fitness [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Fitness [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Other Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	115,243,000	101,450,000
Other Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Other Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Computer and Telephone [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	81,901,000	71,623,000
Computer and Telephone [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer and Telephone [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Capitalized Software [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	104,327,000	87,707,000
Decor and Signage [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	22,706,000	20,134,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Audio/Visual [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	39,370,000	35,064,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	23,531,000	19,946,000
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$527,639,000	$462,616,000
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies - Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	facility
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$16,009,000	$13,238,000	$30,614,000
Finite lived intangible assets acquired		5,400,000
Number of previously leased centers for which property was acquired.	2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue		4,600,000
Goodwill	61,101,000	49,195,000	37,176,000
Goodwill acquired	11,906,000	12,019,000
2014 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	300,000
Finite lived intangible assets acquired	7,600,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue	3,600,000
Goodwill	11,900,000
Race Timing Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Acquired		3,200,000	2,300,000
Finite lived intangible assets acquired			11,200,000
Goodwill			5,700,000
Goodwill acquired		9,400,000
Atlanta Tennis Center [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets acquired			4,000,000
2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments		2,600,000
Athletic Events [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets acquired			$3,900,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie9

Significant Accounting Policies - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	($1,400,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, amount of hedged item			200,000,000
Derivative, fixed interest rate	1.32%		1.32%
Gross fair market value of swap contract	$2,331,000	$3,762,000

Recovered_Sheet1

Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$49,195	$37,176
Goodwill acquired	11,906	12,019
Ending balance	$61,101	$49,195

Recovered_Sheet2

Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Definite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$33,978,000	$28,531,000
Intangible assets acquired		5,400,000
Ending balance	51,041,000	33,978,000	28,531,000
Intangible Assets Gross And Net Presentation [Abstract]
Gross	51,041,000	33,978,000	28,531,000
Accumulated Amortization	8,499,000	4,679,000
Net	42,542,000	29,299,000
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived trade names	9,300,000
Finite-lived trade names	11,600,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, amortization expense	3,900,000	2,000,000	1,700,000
Curriculum and Technology Based Intangibles [Member]
Definite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired		100,000
Intangible Assets Gross And Net Presentation [Abstract]
Gross	6,695,000	6,695,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,864,000	1,286,000
Net	4,831,000	5,409,000
Leasehold Rights [Member]
Definite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired	9,760,000
Intangible Assets Gross And Net Presentation [Abstract]
Gross	16,151,000	6,392,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,958,000	1,435,000
Net	14,193,000	4,957,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Definite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired	1,925,000
Intangible Assets Gross And Net Presentation [Abstract]
Gross	7,337,000	5,412,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,665,000	947,000
Net	5,672,000	4,465,000
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	10 years
Trade Brand Names [Member]
Definite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	15,479,000
Intangible assets acquired	5,378,000
Intangible assets acquired		5,347,000
Ending balance	20,858,000	15,479,000
Intangible Assets Gross And Net Presentation [Abstract]
Gross	20,858,000	15,479,000
Accumulated Amortization	3,012,000	1,011,000
Net	$17,846,000	$14,468,000
Trade Brand Names [Member]
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	11 years
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Rights [Member]
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Curriculum and Technology Based Intangibles [Member]
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold Rights [Member]
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	6 years
Minimum [Member] | Curriculum and Technology Based Intangibles [Member]
Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangibles, useful life, minimum (in Years)	2 years

Recovered_Sheet3

Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets Amortization Expense By Maturity (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
2014	$3,253
2015	2,814
2016	2,715
2017	2,715
2018	2,715
Thereafter	19,043
Total expected amortization expense for intangible assets	$33,255

Recovered_Sheet4

Significant Accounting Policies - Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Financing costs, net	$12,076	$10,393
Investments in unconsolidated affiliate (see Note 3)	5,147	4,761
Land held for sale	17,338	15,787
Executive nonqualified plan (see Note 10)	5,780	5,410
Other	4,414	6,333
Total other assets	$44,755	$42,684

Recovered_Sheet5

Significant Accounting Policies - Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Payroll related	$15,375	$14,410
Real estate taxes	17,748	18,939
Center operating costs	12,737	15,868
Insurance	6,670	6,495
Interest	2,061	1,469
Income Taxes	0	59
Marketing and information technology accruals	1,919	1,642
Other	14,068	8,553
Total accrued expenses	$70,578	$67,435

Recovered_Sheet6

Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (TCPA [Member], Pending Litigation [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 25, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Statutory damages per violation	$500
Statutory damages per willful violation	1,500
Loss contingency, range of possible loss, minimum	4,700,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, cash award		100
Litigation settlement, membership credit, amount		250
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount		10,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount		$15,000,000

Recovered_Sheet7

Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$22,365		$34,236		$29,632		$28,137		$34,205		$33,000		$27,909		$25,863		$114,370	$120,977	$110,757	$110,757
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic																	38,793,000	41,263,000	41,345,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted																	38,928,000	41,482,000	41,972,000
Basic earnings per common share	$0.59	[1],[2]	$0.91	[1],[2]	$0.76	[1],[2]	$0.69	[1],[2]	$0.83	[1],[2]	$0.80	[1],[2]	$0.68	[1],[2]	$0.63	[1],[2]	$2.95	$2.93	$2.68
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.59	[1],[2]	$0.90	[1],[2]	$0.75	[1],[2]	$0.69	[1],[2]	$0.82	[1],[2]	$0.79	[1],[2]	$0.67	[1],[2]	$0.63	[1],[2]	$2.94	$2.92	$2.64
Common shares outstanding	39,016,499																39,016,499	42,115,549
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements																	11,000	85,000	116,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements																	124,000	134,000	511,000
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share																	2,477	2,477	15,540
[1]	See Note 2 for discussion on the computation of earnings per share.
[2]	The basic and diluted earnings per share by quarter include the impact of rounding within each quarter.

Recovered_Sheet8

Significant Accounting Policies - Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	15 Months Ended	27 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares issued under Plan	460,152	363,106	1,052,466
Unrecognized compensation expense (in dollars)	$24.10
Additional cost that could be recognized if all diluted EPS targets become probable (in dollars)	16.8
Restricted shares, unvested	1,319,445	1,429,730	2,069,168	1,902,083	1,902,083				2,069,168
2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available for grant	1,012,661
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of fair market value cost per share under the plan	90.00%
Discount percentage under the plan	10.00%
2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)				50.00%
2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)		50.00%
Fiscal Year 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)	50.00%
Performance Based Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares issued under Plan							658,500	1,016,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		2.6		3.9	6.8	5.6			18.8
Unrecognized compensation expense (in dollars)	$26
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
April 1, 2012 Through 2015 [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | 2015 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)	50.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Cumulative Diluted Earnings Per Share, Target Earnings Per Share	$13.68
April 1, 2012 Through 2016 [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | 2016 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)	50.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Cumulative Diluted Earnings Per Share, Target Earnings Per Share	$18.96
2015 Member [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | 2015 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Return on Invested Capital, Target Earnings Per Share	8.90%
2016 Member [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | 2016 Performance Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Return on Invested Capital, Target Earnings Per Share	9.00%

Recovered_Sheet9

Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap	$2,331	$3,762
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap	$2,331	$3,762

Recovered_Sheet10

Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	$4,697	$14,965
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-rate debt	628,937
Obligations under capital leases	4,697
Floating-rate debt	567,276
Total	1,200,910
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-rate debt	626,206
Obligations under capital leases	5,682
Floating-rate debt	567,276
Total	$1,199,164

Recovered_Sheet11

Significant Accounting Policies - Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Center
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of open centers	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Number of centers under construction	6
Beginning balance	($5,615)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,818	-814	-2,208	-2,208
Ending balance	-9,433	-5,615
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flows Hedge
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-2,257	-3,631
Other comprehensive income (loss)	859	1,374
Ending balance	-1,398	-2,257
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-3,358	-1,170
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,677	-2,188
Ending balance	-8,035	-3,358
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-5,615	-4,801
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,818	-814	-2,208
Ending balance	($9,433)	($5,615)	($4,801)
CANADA
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Number of centers under construction	1

Recovered_Sheet12

Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	($1,917,000)	$685,000	($2,211,000)
Income taxes receivable	-5,898,000	-6,698,000	-5,026,000
Center operating supplies and inventories	-3,151,000	-5,555,000	-3,093,000
Prepaid expense and other current assets	-945,000	3,190,000	5,022,000
Deferred membership origination costs	65,000	3,329,000	2,172,000
Accounts payable	-2,134,000	-3,986,000	10,160,000
Accrued expenses	4,262,000	10,404,000	12,568,000
Deferred revenue	1,000,000	-5,918,000	3,108,000
Deferred rent liability	790,000	5,741,000	-2,284,000
Other liabilities	480,000	709,000	1,727,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-7,448,000	1,901,000	22,143,000
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
Cash purchases of property and equipment	432,259,000	348,948,000	224,194,000
Non-cash change in construction accounts payable	-15,370,000	22,134,000	3,316,000
Other non-cash changes to property and equipment	-2,708,000	-5,964,000	5,604,000
Total capital expenditures	414,181,000	365,118,000	233,114,000
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash payments for income taxes	78,900,000	71,900,000	61,500,000
Cash payments for interest, net of capitalized interest	38,400,000	29,000,000	29,100,000
Capitalized interest	2,800,000	3,300,000	1,100,000
Construction accounts payable	$31,972,000	$47,342,000

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A1

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-11	Dec. 31, 1999
					entity
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Number of unrelated organizations Company joined with to form LLC					2
Number of members who own equal equity method investment interests in the LLC					3
Equity method investment in Bloomingdale LLC					2
Mortgage loans on real estate				7.3
Maximum amount of Life Time Fitness, Inc.'s debt guarantee	1.2
Equity method investment distributions	1	0.9	1
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Right to Receive Equity Investment Dividends or Distributions	$0.70

LongTerm_Debt_Summary_of_LongT

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 13, 2008	Aug. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other debt			$2,143	$2,035
Total debt (excluding obligations under capital leases)			1,196,213	833,633
Obligations under capital leases			4,697	14,965
Total debt			1,200,910	848,598
Less current maturities			22,455	24,505
Total long-term debt			1,178,455	824,093
Monthly debt service payment	700	500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%	5.06%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To February 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			93,399	95,207
Monthly debt service payment			632
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			6.03%
Commercial Mortgaged Back Not Including Interest To February 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			78,063	0
Monthly debt service payment			531
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.06%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Note Including Interest To August 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			76,537	0
Monthly debt service payment			669
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.70%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To December 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			66,052	68,173
Monthly debt service payment			503
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.75%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To March 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			64,159	70,457
Monthly debt service payment			775
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.45%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To September 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable			46,354	49,287
Monthly debt service payment			423
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.48%
Variable Rate Demand Note Maturing July 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate demand notes			31,195	31,815	34,200
Mortgage Notes Expiring Through May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes payable to banks			2,230	2,397
Monthly debt service payment			27	205
Mortgage Notes Expiring Through May 2024 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			6.25%
Mortgage Notes Expiring Through May 2024 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			7.10%
Promissory Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Monthly debt service payment			80
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.78%
Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility			733,750	510,500
LIBOR [Member] | Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.25%
LIBOR [Member] | Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			2.25%
Base [Member] | Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.25%
Base [Member] | Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.25%
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate Swap			2,331	3,762
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount			$200,000
Derivative, fixed interest rate			1.32%			1.32%

LongTerm_Debt_Revolving_Credit

Long-Term Debt - Revolving Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 29, 2014	31-May-14	Jan. 28, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
		properties
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity							$1,200,000,000		$860,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Additional Borrowings, Term Loan Amount							100,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Non-term portion							1,100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Amortization Rate, Stated Percentage							5.00%
Revolving credit facility, potential increase to borrowing capacity							500,000,000
Original principal amount at issuance	78,000,000	80,000,000				78,000,000		80,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End					2.40%
Letters of credit outstanding, amount				13,800,000
Revolving credit facility, interest rate during period					2.50%
Revolving credit facility, average outstanding amount				599,400,000	411,900,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period				733,800,000	510,500,000
Number of centers financed through debt		5
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%	5.06%				4.70%		5.06%
Monthly debt service payment	700,000	500,000
Sale-leaseback transaction, lease period				20 years
Sale-leaseback transaction, initial lease term			20 years
Sale-leaseback transactions, length of lease renewal term			5 years
Third Amendment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									660,000,000
Second Amendment To the Third Amended Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									240,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity									760,000,000
Original principal amount at issuance									100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Annual Amortization Rate									5.00%
Credit Facility Expiring 2018 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, amount outstanding				733,750,000	510,500,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, interest rate during period				2.50%
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, interest rate during period				2.40%
Commercial Mortgaged Back Not Including Interest To February 2024 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				5.06%
Monthly debt service payment				531,000
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable				78,063,000	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Note Including Interest To August 2027 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				4.70%
Monthly debt service payment				669,000
Commercial mortgage-backed notes payable				$76,537,000	$0

LongTerm_Debt_Interest_Rate_Sw

Long-Term Debt - Interest Rate Swap, Variable Rate Demand Notes and Promissory Note Payable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011
Interest Rate Swap [Abstract]
Fair market value loss, net of tax	$1,400,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Swap [Abstract]
Derivative, amount of hedged item			200,000,000
Derivative, lower variable interest rate range	1.32%		1.32%
Gross fair market value of swap contract	$2,331,000	$3,762,000

LongTerm_Debt_Mortgage_Notes_P

Long-Term Debt - Mortgage Notes Payable and Commerical Mortgage-Backed Notes Financing (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2011	31-May-09	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2007	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 01, 2006	Aug. 31, 2013
		properties	Center		Center			properties		properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance	$78,000,000	$80,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note	4.70%	5.06%
Monthly debt service payment	700,000	500,000
Number of centers financed through debt		5
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To February 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance							105,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note			6.03%
Monthly debt service payment			632,000
Mortgage amount outstanding			93,399,000			95,207,000
Number of centers financed through debt			6
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To March 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance								75,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note			4.45%
Monthly debt service payment			775,000
Mortgage amount outstanding			64,159,000			70,457,000
Number of Properties Mortgaged								5
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To December 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance									80,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note			5.75%
Monthly debt service payment			503,000
Mortgage amount outstanding			66,052,000			68,173,000
Number of centers financed through debt			6
Principal amount of loan assumed				72,100,000
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Note Including Interest To September 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance										50,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note			4.48%
Monthly debt service payment			423,000
Mortgage amount outstanding			46,354,000			49,287,000
Number of Properties Mortgaged										3
Mortgage, May 2009 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note					7.10%
Mortgage amount outstanding			$2,200,000
Number of centers financed through debt					1
Mortgage Note Amortization Period					20 years
May 2014 Interest Reset [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					4.50%
Interest Rate Floor					6.00%

LongTerm_Debt_Other_Mortgage_N

Long-Term Debt - Other Mortgage Notes Financing (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2008	Jul. 13, 2008
					properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount at issuance		$78,000,000	$80,000,000
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note		4.70%	5.06%
Variable Rate Demand Note Maturing July 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate demand notes	$31,195,000			$31,815,000		$34,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	0.20%
Letter of Credit, Annual Fee as Percentage of Maximum Amount Available	1.40%
Number of Properties Mortgaged					2
Promissory Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate on mortgage note	5.78%

LongTerm_Debt_Future_Maturitie

Long-Term Debt - Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2015	$21,880
2016	86,733
2017	108,938
2018	20,363
2019	755,000
Thereafter	203,299
Total debt (excluding obligations under capital leases)	$1,196,213	$833,633

LongTerm_Debt_Capital_Leases_D

Long-Term Debt - Capital Leases (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014	31-May-01	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			Center	Center
Capital Leases [Line Items]
Number of Centers Financed Through Sale-Leaseback Transactions			1	2
Capital Lease Period			20 years
Present value of net minimum lease payments				$4,697,000
Interest rate on capital lease	4.70%	5.06%
Monthly rental payments under capital lease	700,000	500,000
Land Purchase Option, Year In Land Can Be Purchased, Minimum				5 years
Land Purchase Option, Year In Which Land Can Be Purchased, Maximum				10 years
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
2015				1,075,000
2016				1,057,000
2017				1,020,000
2018				1,020,000
2019				1,020,000
Thereafter				1,403,000
Total future minimum payments due				6,595,000
Less amounts representing interest				1,898,000
Present value of net minimum lease payments				4,697,000
Current portion				575,000
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent				4,122,000
Minnesota Sale-Leaseback [Member]
Capital Leases [Line Items]
Present Value of Future Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions				4,600,000
Virginia Ground Lease [Member]
Capital Leases [Line Items]
Land Purchase Options, Description				fifth or tenth lease year
Land and Buildings [Member]
Summary of Property and Equipment Recorded Under Capital Leases [Abstract]
Gross property and equipment under capital lease				6,155,000	15,467,000
Less accumulated amortization				3,760,000	3,635,000
Net property and equipment under capital lease				$2,395,000	$11,832,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Fi

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - Financing Lease Obligation (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2008
			term
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale-leaseback transaction, lease period		20 years
Sale-leaseback transaction, initial lease term	20 years
Sale-leaseback transactions, length of lease renewal term	5 years
W.P. Carey & Co., LLC [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Gross proceeds sales leaseback			$60.50
Sale-leaseback transaction, lease period			40 years
Sale-leaseback transaction, initial lease term			20 years
Sale-leaseback transactions, number of lease renewal terms			4
Sale-leaseback transactions, length of lease renewal term			5 years
Number of months prior to end of lease term renewal option must be exercised			18 months
Sale-leaseback transaction, rent expense			$5.70
Sale-leaseback transaction, renewal term escalation rate			2.00%

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Fi1

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - Financing Lease Future Maturity Schedule (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$6,404
2016	6,532
2017	6,662
2018	6,796
2019	6,932
Thereafter	66,865
Total future minimum lease payments	$100,191

Potential_SpinOff_of_Real_Esta1

Potential Spin-Off of Real Estate Assets through a Real Estate Investment Trust (Details)	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Maximum number of outstanding shares owned, percent	9.80%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current tax expense
Federal	$65,528,000	$64,059,000	$67,039,000
State and local	8,927,000	7,000,000	7,653,000
Total current tax expense	74,455,000	71,059,000	74,692,000
Deferred tax expense
Federal	326,000	5,659,000	-2,880,000
State and local	-1,173,000	1,463,000	362,000
Total deferred tax expense	-847,000	7,122,000	-2,518,000
Non-current tax expense (benefit)	143,000	0	17,000
Income tax provision	73,751,000	78,181,000	72,191,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate	65,842,000	69,705,000	64,031,000
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,897,000	8,463,000	8,015,000
Other, net	12,000	13,000	145,000
Income tax provision	73,751,000	78,181,000	72,191,000
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued rent expense	30,870,000	29,655,000
Other comprehensive income	3,339,000	3,912,000
Accrued equity compensation	4,231,000	4,150,000
Deferred revenue	2,004,000	3,502,000
Foreign net operating loss	783,000	1,050,000
Other	3,010,000	1,913,000
Total deferred tax assets	44,237,000	44,182,000
Property and equipment	-120,235,000	-120,676,000
Partnership interest	-4,407,000	-4,622,000
Costs related to deferred revenue	-5,766,000	-5,728,000
Other	-4,348,000	-3,949,000
Total deferred tax liabilities	-134,756,000	-134,975,000
Net deferred tax liability	-90,519,000	-90,793,000
Current deferred tax assets	10,122,000	10,615,000
Current deferred tax liabilities	-3,433,000	-3,734,000
Net current deferred tax assets	6,689,000	6,881,000
Non-current deferred tax assets	34,115,000	33,567,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-131,323,000	-131,241,000
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	-97,208,000	-97,674,000
Net deferred tax liability	-90,519,000	-90,793,000
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefit - beginning balance	795,000	746,000	868,000
Gross increases - tax positions in current period	300,000	300,000	300,000
Prior year decreases	0	0	-150,000
Lapse of statute of limitations	-95,000	-251,000	-272,000
Unrecognized tax benefit - ending balance	1,000,000	795,000	746,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	1,000,000	800,000	500,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest expense	100,000	100,000	100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and accrued interest	100,000	100,000	100,000
Operating Loss Carry forward [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	2,900,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Term	18 years
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$800,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Stock_

Share-Based Compensation - Stock Option and Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2004
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, unvested	1,319,445	1,429,730	2,069,168	1,902,083
Restricted shares issued under Plan	460,152	363,106	1,052,466
2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance under Plan						3,500,000
Additional shares reserved for issuance under Plan					1,750,000
Stock options granted under Plan, total	1,929,665
Stock options outstanding under Plan	59,110
2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance under Plan			2,500,000
Remaining shares available for grant	1,012,661
Restricted Stock [Member] | 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares issued under Plan, total	3,294,359
Restricted shares, unvested	61,350
Restricted Stock [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares issued under Plan, total	1,906,364
Restricted shares, unvested	1,258,096
Restricted shares issued under Plan	460,152	1,052,466
Minimum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share value based on common stock closing price	47.05
Maximum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share value based on common stock closing price	54.47
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member] | 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member] | 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares, vesting period	4 years

ShareBased_Compensation_Total_

Share-Based Compensation - Total Share-Based Compensation Expense Included in our Consolidated Statementes of Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$12,903	$12,469	$14,686
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	120	120	120
Restricted Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$12,783	$12,349	$14,566

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,429,730	2,069,168	1,902,083
Granted (in shares)	460,152	363,106	1,052,466
Canceled (in shares)	-238,276	-141,898	-30,289
Vested (in shares)	-332,161	-860,646	-855,092
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	1,319,445	1,429,730	2,069,168
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$44.19	$36.55	$24.27
Granted (in dollars per share)	$45.31	$42.51	$47.28
Canceled (in dollars per share)	$41.65	$42.84	$33.51
Vested (in dollars per share)	$40.66	$25.33	$22.54
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$45.93	$44.19	$36.55
Aggregate fair value of restricted stock granted during period	$20.80	$15.40	$49.80
Fair market value of restricted shares that vested during period	13.5
Unrecognized compensation expense for restricted stock (in dollars)	$24.10
Period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized (in years)	2 years 2 months 12 days

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	15 Months Ended	27 Months Ended	17 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jun. 01, 2006	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Restricted shares issued under Plan	460,152	363,106	1,052,466
Number of times compound annual growth rate under current long range plan for earnings per share target	150.00%
Number of times return on invested capital for return on invested capital target	110.00%
Unrecognized compensation expense (in dollars)	$24,100,000									$24,100,000
Additional cost that could be recognized if all diluted EPS targets become probable (in dollars)	16,800,000									16,800,000
Share Repurchase Plans [Abstract]
Value of shares repurchased (in dollars)	166,878,000	61,959,000	19,099,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount (in dollars)	200,000,000									200,000,000	200,000,000
2011
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)				50.00%
Performance Based Restricted Stock [Member]
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Restricted shares issued under Plan							658,500	1,016,000
Number of shares expected to vest at Dec. 31, 2011		448,000	453,500						453,500
Non-cash share-based compensation expense (in dollars)		2,600,000		3,900,000	6,800,000	5,600,000			18,800,000
Unrecognized compensation expense (in dollars)	26,000,000									26,000,000
Share Repurchase Plans [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number	565,500									565,500
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Compensation Expense	100,000	100,000	100,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Abstract]
Maximum ESPP common shares that can be sold to employees	1,500,000									1,500,000
Percentage of fair market value cost per share under the plan	90.00%
Discount percentage under the plan	10.00%
Employee withholding for the purchase of shares (in dollars)	1,600,000
ESPP common stock available for purchase	1,228,549									1,228,549
Share Repurchase Plans [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized by Board of Directors for repurchase												500,000
Share repurchases	32,178
Value of shares repurchased (in dollars)	1,500,000
Remaining shares authorized for repurchase	228,549									228,549
2011 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Plans [Abstract]
Share repurchases	1,107,665
Value of shares repurchased (in dollars)	50,100,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount (in dollars)													60,000,000
2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Plans [Abstract]
Share repurchases	3,462,445									4,109,146
Value of shares repurchased (in dollars)	166,900,000									197,800,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount (in dollars)														$200,000,000
April 1, 2012 Through 2015 [Member] | 2015 Performance Period [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)	50.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Cumulative Diluted Earnings Per Share, Target Earnings Per Share	$13.68
2015 Member [Member] | 2015 Performance Period [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Return on Invested Capital, Target Earnings Per Share	8.90%
April 1, 2012 Through 2016 [Member] | 2016 Performance Period [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Vesting percentage of the 2011 diluted EPS targets (in percent)	50.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Cumulative Diluted Earnings Per Share, Target Earnings Per Share	$18.96
2016 Member [Member] | 2016 Performance Period [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Special Restricted Stock Grants [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Return on Invested Capital, Target Earnings Per Share	9.00%

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar1

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$4,000,000	$1,700,000	$3,300,000
Stock Option Exercises [Abstract]
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,908,000	1,734,000	2,342,000
Tax benefit realized from stock option exercises	1,318,000	5,895,000	8,502,000
Stock Option [Member]
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	215,668	291,510	407,200
Exercised (in shares)	-141,519	-74,242	-115,690
Canceled (in shares)	-15,039	-1,600	0
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	59,110	215,668	291,510	407,200
Vested at period end (in shares)	59,110
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$25.64	$24.96	$23.62
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$20.55	$23.36	$20.25
Canceled (in dollars per share)	$31.90	$8	$0
Outstanding atend of period (in dollars per share)	$36.24	$25.64	$24.96	$23.62
Vested at end of period (in dollars per share)	$36.24
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding (in years)	0 years 10 months 24 days	1 year 1 month 7 days	2 years	2 years 10 months 24 days
Vested at end of period (in years)	0 years 10 months 24 days
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars)	1,204,000	4,616,000	7,073,000	9,429,000
Vested at end of period (in dollars)	$1,204,000

Operating_Segments_Details

Operating Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Segments [Abstract]
Membership dues									$810,707	$766,846	$727,596
Enrollment fees									12,224	13,941	15,346
Personal training									201,479	184,522	169,074
Other in-center									209,474	190,995	179,191
Total center revenue									1,233,884	1,156,304	1,091,207
Other revenue									56,736	49,600	35,740
Total revenue	$315,256	$336,845	$326,564	$311,955	$316,011	$308,108	$290,747	$291,038	$1,290,620	$1,205,904	$1,126,947

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Noncancelable Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2008	31-May-01	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 21, 2008	31-May-11
		Center	Center
Lease Commitments [Line Items]
2014			$36,030,000
2015			35,475,000
2016			34,897,000
2017			34,955,000
2018			34,748,000
Thereafter			401,147,000
Total minimum annual payments under all noncancelable operating leases			577,252,000
Rent expense under operating leases			33,600,000	33,300,000	31,700,000
Number of Centers Financed Through Sale-Leaseback Transactions		1	2
Sale-leaseback transaction, gross deferred gain			4,100,000
Sale-leaseback transaction, remaining amount			2,800,000
Purchase commitments			164,800,000	142,700,000	93,800,000
Minimum service requirement for eligibility to participate in 401 (k) Savings and Investment Plan			6 months
Age of Eligibility for Defined Contribution Plan Minimum Year			21 years
Discretionary employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan			2,700,000	2,300,000	2,900,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount			13,800,000
Surety bonds			21,900,000
Mortgage loans on real estate							7,300,000
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted			1,200,000
Portion of Indebtedness of LLC guaranteed by Lifetime Fitness, Inc.			33.30%
Portion of Debt Guaranteed by Each Member of the LLC							33.30%
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Entire Term of Lease	50 years
Sale-leaseback transaction, initial lease term	20 years
Sale-leaseback transactions, length of lease renewal term	5 years
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions			100,191,000
Senior Housing Properties Trust
Lease Commitments [Line Items]
Sale-leaseback transaction, gross proceeds						100,000,000
Number of months prior to end of lease term renewal option must be exercised	12 months
Sale-leaseback transaction, rent expense			9,100,000
Year of Lease Term, In Which Rent Escalation Rate Will Apply	5 years
Number of lease renewal terms in which 10% rent escalation will apply	2
Sale-leaseback transaction, renewal term escalation rate	10.00%
Number of Lease Renewal Terms in Which Greater Escalation Rate Will Apply	4
Maximum rent percentage during renewal term period	110.00%
Guarantor obligations, tangible net worth requirement			200,000,000
Sale-leaseback transactions, number of lease renewal terms	6
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions			$151,800,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies - TCPA Litigation (Details) (Pending Litigation [Member], TCPA [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 25, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Statutory damages per violation	$500
Statutory damages per willful violation	1,500
Loss contingency, range of possible loss, minimum	4,700,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, cash award		100
Litigation settlement, membership credit, amount		250
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount		10,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount		$15,000,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Management [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Management [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party ownership percentage	100.00%
Office rent expense	$0.50	$0.60	$0.60

Executive_Nonqualified_Plan_De

Executive Nonqualified Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Executive Nonqualified Plan [Abstract]
Deferred compensation, maximum amount of annual salary that can be deferred	50.00%
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, maximum term of payout	10 years
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, employer contribution	$0.10
Employee deferred contributions to nonqualified plan	$6.50

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio2

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements Statement of Operations - (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Center operations																	$744,343	$689,246	$648,924
Other operating																	67,020	64,558	52,327
Depreciation and amortization																	143,931	121,843	117,887
Total operating expenses																	1,061,259	977,345	914,784
Income from operations	48,019		67,807		58,477		55,058		63,840		61,710		53,358		49,651		229,361	228,559	212,163
Interest expense, net of interest income																	-42,296	-30,800	-30,697
Total other income (expense)																	-41,240	-29,401	-29,215
Income before income taxes																	188,121	199,158	182,948
Provision for income taxes																	73,751	78,181	72,191
Net income	22,365		34,236		29,632		28,137		34,205		33,000		27,909		25,863		114,370	120,977	110,757	110,757
Basic earnings per common share	$0.59	[1],[2]	$0.91	[1],[2]	$0.76	[1],[2]	$0.69	[1],[2]	$0.83	[1],[2]	$0.80	[1],[2]	$0.68	[1],[2]	$0.63	[1],[2]	$2.95	$2.93	$2.68
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.59	[1],[2]	$0.90	[1],[2]	$0.75	[1],[2]	$0.69	[1],[2]	$0.82	[1],[2]	$0.79	[1],[2]	$0.67	[1],[2]	$0.63	[1],[2]	$2.94	$2.92	$2.64
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Center operations																		696,209	655,887
Other operating																		64,401	52,170
Depreciation and amortization																		118,972	115,016
Total operating expenses																		981,280	918,719
Income from operations																		224,624	208,228
Interest expense, net of interest income																		-25,656	-25,475
Total other income (expense)																		-24,257	-23,993
Income before income taxes																		200,367	184,235
Provision for income taxes																		78,655	72,697
Net income																		$121,712	$111,538
Basic earnings per common share																		$2.95	$2.70
Diluted earnings per common share																		$2.93	$2.66
[1]	See Note 2 for discussion on the computation of earnings per share.
[2]	The basic and diluted earnings per share by quarter include the impact of rounding within each quarter.

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio3

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements Balance Sheet - (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and equipment, net	$2,417,931	$2,147,627
Total assets	2,681,618	2,373,601
Current portion of financing lease obligation	1,474	1,231
Deferred revenue	38,652	34,875
Total current liabilities	200,553	204,033
Financing lease obligation, net of current portion	54,491	55,966
Deferred rent liability	24,519	23,752
Deferred income taxes	97,208	97,674
Other liabilities	15,180	19,123
Total liabilities	1,576,494	1,229,887
Retained earnings	860,709	746,339
Total shareholders' equity	1,105,124	1,143,714	1,069,337	954,674
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,681,618	2,373,601
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Property and equipment, net		2,105,077
Total assets		2,331,051
Current portion of financing lease obligation		0
Deferred revenue		35,032
Total current liabilities		202,959
Financing lease obligation, net of current portion		0
Deferred rent liability		28,933
Deferred income taxes		100,504
Other liabilities		21,287
Total liabilities		1,183,022
Retained earnings		750,654
Total shareholders' equity		1,148,029
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$2,331,051

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio4

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements Cash Flows - (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net cash provided by operating activities	$260,712	$259,429	$256,557
Net cash provided by financing activities	184,467	86,309	5,006
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Net cash provided by operating activities		258,417	255,745
Net cash provided by financing activities		$87,321	$5,818

Immaterial_Restatement_of_Prio5

Immaterial Restatement of Prior Year Financial Statements Narrative - (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	($22,365)	($34,236)	($29,632)	($28,137)	($34,205)	($33,000)	($27,909)	($25,863)	($114,370)	($120,977)	($110,757)	($110,757)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	-860,709								-860,709	-746,339
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent										700	800
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)												$3,000

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Total revenue	$315,256		$336,845		$326,564		$311,955		$316,011		$308,108		$290,747		$291,038		$1,290,620	$1,205,904	$1,126,947
Gross profit	124,333	[1]	127,964	[1]	120,278	[1]	115,225	[1]	117,799	[1]	120,607	[1]	113,520	[1]	115,132	[1]
Income from operations	48,019		67,807		58,477		55,058		63,840		61,710		53,358		49,651		229,361	228,559	212,163
Net income	$22,365		$34,236		$29,632		$28,137		$34,205		$33,000		$27,909		$25,863		$114,370	$120,977	$110,757	$110,757
Earnings per share
Basic	$0.59	[2],[3]	$0.91	[2],[3]	$0.76	[2],[3]	$0.69	[2],[3]	$0.83	[2],[3]	$0.80	[2],[3]	$0.68	[2],[3]	$0.63	[2],[3]	$2.95	$2.93	$2.68
Diluted	$0.59	[2],[3]	$0.90	[2],[3]	$0.75	[2],[3]	$0.69	[2],[3]	$0.82	[2],[3]	$0.79	[2],[3]	$0.67	[2],[3]	$0.63	[2],[3]	$2.94	$2.92	$2.64
[1]	We define gross profit as total center revenue less center operations expenses.
[2]	See Note 2 for discussion on the computation of earnings per share.
[3]	The basic and diluted earnings per share by quarter include the impact of rounding within each quarter.