Name:	gnc_DeferredCompensationArrangementAnnualContributionPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The period of service required for eligibility for full time employees for matching contributions by the employer.

No definition available.

Name:	gnc_DefinedContributionPlanEligiblePeriodOfServiceForFullTimeEmployeesForMatchingContribution
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The period of service required for eligibility for part time employees for matching contributions by the employer.

No definition available.

Name:	gnc_DefinedContributionPlanEligiblePeriodofServiceforPartTimeEmployeesforMatchingContribution
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of deferral compensation by the employee to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	gnc_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeContributionDeferralPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	gnc_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the percentage of contribution that can be made by employee.

No definition available.

Name:	gnc_DefinedContributionPlanPercentageOfEmployeeContributions
Namespace Prefix:	gnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of payment into the fund established for purposes of making future disbursements to the individual in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 70
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170846&loc=d3e28014-114942

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Maximum percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.