Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and substance abuse (drug and/or alcohol) independently impair the immune system. INF‐γ and IL‐2 are Th1 cytokines involved in modulating immunity relevant to HIV. INF‐γ inhibits HIV replication in latently infected cells and low production of IFN‐γ is correlated to progression to AIDS. IL‐2 slows apoptosis of HIV‐infected cells. Thus, changes in Th1 cytokines could have important implications for HIV+ individuals.PurposeTo examine the effect of resistance training on resting concentrations of circulating Th1 cytokines.MethodsSixteen men (42 ± 11 years, 180 ± 9 cm, 89 ± 21 kg) infected with HIV and enrolled in a 60‐day in‐patient substance abuse treatment program. Participants were assigned to either supervised resistance exercise 3 times per week (RT) or no exercise training (Control) for six weeks. Before (Pre) and after (Post) the 6‐week period, resting and fasted blood samples were obtained and analyzed for serum INF‐γ and IL‐2.ResultsThe 6‐week intervention did not change INF‐γ (RT: Pre: 1.4 ± 2.1 pg·ml−1; Post: 1.2 ± 2.6 pg·ml−1; Control: Pre: 2.3 ± 3.9 pg·ml−1; Post: 2.2 ± 3.9 pg·ml−1) or IL‐2 (RT: Pre: 0.4 ± 0.5 pg·ml−1; Post: 0.2 ± 0.1 pg·ml−1; Control: Pre: 0.1 ± 0.1 pg·ml−1; Post: 0.2 ± 0.1 pg·ml−1)ConclusionA six‐week resistance training program does not elicit changes in the circulating Th1 cytokines INF‐γ and IL‐2 in HIV+ men undergoing substance abuse treatment.