Aim Chronic inflammation increases with age and is correlated positively to visceral fat mass, but inversely to muscle mass. We investigated the hypothesis that resistance training would increase muscle mass and strength together with a concomitant drop in local and systemic inflammation level independent of any changes in visceral fat tissue in elderly. Methods 25 subjects (mean 67, range 62–70 years) were randomized to 1 year of heavy resistance training (HRT) or control (CON), and tested at 0, 4 and 12 months for physical performance, body composition (DXA), vastus lateralis muscle area (MRI) local and systemic inflammation (blood and muscle). In addition, systemic and local muscle immunological responses to acute exercise was determined before and after the training period. Results Increases in muscle mass (≈2%, p  0.05). Blood C-Reactive Protein declined over time in both groups (p