Postprandial lipaemia (PL) is associated with the metabolic syndrome, CVD and endothelial dysfunction. Aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce PL. Although resistance exercise is recommended for the improvement of the quality of life, management of body weight and prevention of several disorders, its effect on PL has received little attention. The present study examined the effects of low-volume resistance exercise (LVRE) and high-volume resistance exercise (HVRE) on PL. Ten healthy young men performed three trials, each conducted over 2 d. On the afternoon of day 1, they either refrained from exercise (control), performed LVRE (two sets of eight exercises, twelve repetitions at twelve repetitions maximum (RM) in each set; energy expenditure 0·76 MJ), or performed HVRE (four sets of eight exercises, twelve repetitions at 12RM in each set; energy expenditure 1·40 MJ). On the morning of day 2 they consumed a meal containing 67 kJ/kg body weight, of which 65 % energy was from fat. Blood samples were obtained in the fasted state and for 6 h postprandially. The total area under the TAG curve (AUC; mmol/l × h) was lower (P < 0·05) in HVRE (8·76 (sd 3·20)) and LVRE (9·29 (sd 3·64)) compared with control (11·60 (sd 4·35)). The incremental AUC was lower in HVRE compared with control (3·07 (sd 2·53) v. 5·58 (sd 3·72)), but not different between LVRE (3·86 (sd 2·29)) and control. In conclusion, resistance exercise of 1·40 MJ (four sets – eight exercises – twelve RM) or 0·76 MJ (two sets – eight exercises – twelve RM) before a high-fat meal reduces the total postprandial lipaemic response.