Objective To assess the improvement of different resistance training regimens on blood lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials of resistance training intervention to improve blood lipids and insulin resistance in patients with T2DM. The search time range was from the establishment of the databases to May 2023. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias of the included studies using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and performed a network meta-analysis of the extracted data using Stata 16.0 software. Results In the end, 24 articles were included, and a total of 983 participants were enrolled. The result of network meta-analysis showed that high-frequency and moderate-intensity resistance exercise significantly improved the levels of insulin resistance [standardized mean difference=−1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−2.75, −0.67)], triglycerides [weighted mean difference (WMD)=−0.27 mmol/L, 95%CI (−0.51, −0.04) mmol/L], and total cholesterol [WMD=−0.16 mmol/L, 95%CI (−0.20, −0.12) mmol/L], but had no significant effect on improving the level of high-density lipoprotein [WMD=0.05 mmol/L, 95%CI (−0.02, 0.11) mmol/L] or low-density lipoprotein [WMD=−0.20 mmol/L, 95%CI (−0.42, 0.03) mmol/L]. The results of cumulative probability ranking showed that high-frequency and moderate-intensity resistance exercise was the best in improving insulin resistance, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels. Conclusion Based on current evidence, high-frequency and moderate-intensity resistance exercise may be the best resistance exercise regimen to improve insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM.