In brief The effects of resistance exercise and anabolic steroids on lipoprotein profiles were examined in female weight lifters. Steroid users had significantly depressed levels of HDL-C, HDI-2-C (p<.05), and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I compared with nonusers and controls. Nonusers had significantly higher levels of HDL-C and HDL2-C than the controls. Users had significantly less favorable ratios of total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-C, HDL2-C to HDL3-C, and apo A-I to apo B than nonusers or controls. Women who participate in resistance training apparently have significantly better lipoprotein profiles than their sedentary counterparts, but these changes do not offset the deleterious effects of steroid use.