Objective To explore the status of regular exercise and its predictors among older residents of long-term care institutions. Methods Convenience sampling was used to collect data from 233 older residents residing in three long-term care institutions in Guangzhou. Data collection instruments included a self-reported regular exercise, demographic data questionnaire, the Chinese version of Self-efficacy for Exercise Scale and the Barthel Index. Meanwhile, physical parameters were also measured. Results One hundred and fifty-nine older residents (68.24%) exercised regularly (longer than 150 min per week). Logistic regression analysis indicated higher exercise self-efficacy, regular exercise habit prior to institutionalization and provision of exercise guidance to be significant positive predictors of regular exercise (P<0.01 for all). Conclusion To promote regular exercise within this population, regular exercise habit, exercise guidance and exercise self-efficacy can be potential target areas for interventions. Enhancing exercise self-efficacy and employing professionals to provide exercise guidance in institutions can promote regular exercise among older residents of long-term care institutions.