Condensed Consolidated Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Total Town Sports International and Subsidiaries Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity	Non-controlling interests
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		27,192,154
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (72,697)	$ 25	$ (1,644)	$ 1,841	$ (73,212)	$ (72,990)	$ 293
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	1	$ 1				1
Common stock grants (in shares)		53,692
Common stock grants	320		320			320
Restricted stock grants (in shares)		713,710
Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)		8,410
Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	7		7			7
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)		(9,834)
Stock-based compensation	805		805			805
Net loss	(2,199)				(2,049)	(2,049)	(150)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(11)			(11)		(11)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		27,958,132
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	(73,774)	$ 26	(512)	1,830	(75,261)	(73,917)	143
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		29,425,557
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	(88,345)	$ 26	1,919	1,909	(91,770)	(87,916)	(429)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock grants (in shares)		114,285
Common stock grants	239	$ 1	238			239
Restricted stock grants (in shares)		40,304
Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)		16,926
Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	6		6			6
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)		(115,598)
Stock-based compensation	816		816			816
Net loss	(136,763)				(136,323)	(136,323)	(440)
Write-off of Receivable with Partnership Interest	1,266						1,266
Foreign currency translation adjustment	15			15		15
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		29,481,474
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ (222,766)	$ 27	$ 2,979	$ 1,924	$ (228,093)	$ (223,163)	$ 397