Objective To understand the exercise intention among renal transplant recipients and its influencing factors, so as to promote their participation in exercise and improve their health status. Methods Two hundred and ninety-nine renal transplant recipients were investigated during their follow-up in outpatient department using the Exercise Intention Scale, Exercise Self-efficacy Scale, and Perceived Exercise Social Support Scale. Results The renal transplant recipients′ Exercise Intention score was 15.32±2.87. The result of univariate analysis showed that, post-transplant complications, exercise self-efficacy and perceived exercise social support were influencing factors of exercise intention (P<0.05, P<0.01). The result of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that, exercise self-efficacy, post-transplant complications, post-transplant duration, and perceived exercise social support accounted for 16.0% of the total variation in exercise intention in renal transplant recipients (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Renal transplant recipients have high exercise intention, which is influenced by some factors. Recipients′ family members and medical staff should provide more exercise support, so as to improve their exercise self-efficacy and promote their active participation in exercise