Background Despite the well-established positive effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation has been shown to be sub-optimal. A significant association between kinesiophobia (fear of movement) and participation in CR has previously been found. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify predictors of participation in CR in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), with a special reference to kinesiophobia. Material and methods In all, 332 patients (75 women; mean age 65±9.1 years) with a diagnosis of CAD were recruited between 2007 and 2009 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Sahlgrenska. The patients were tested regarding muscle endurance, level of physical activity, health related quality of life, anxiety, depression and kinesiophobia. A path model with direct and indirect effects via kinesiophobia was used to predict participation in CR. An explorative selection of significant predictors was performed. Results Kinesiophobia (p=.012), waist circumference (p=.023), and a previous history of PCI (p=.037) had direct negative effects on participation in CR, while current incidence of CABG (p<.001), PCI (p=.005) and BMI (p=.008) had positive effects. Compared to patients diagnosed with unstable angina, a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (p=.004) had a positive effect on participation in CR. The following indirect effects on participation in CR were found. Anxiety (p=.001) and previous PCI (p=.025) increased kinesiophobia, while muscle endurance (p=.003), perceptions of general health (p<.001) and physical functioning (p=.009) decreased kinesiophobia. Moreover, men had higher kinesiophobia compared to women (p=.031) and smoking was found to reduce kinesiophobia (p=.004). Conclusion Several important variables with an influence on participation in CR were identified and should be further analysed in relation to clinical practice. A reduction of kinesiophobia can be an efficient way to increase participation in CR and should therefore be given priority in future research.