Abstract Background Resistance exercise is known to be effective in reducing glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in people with type 2 diabetes. However, studies, so far, have employed supervised resistance exercise in a laboratory or gym facility which limits the future translation of such exercise in to clinical practice and recommendations. Our primary aim, therefore, is to test the hypothesis, in a randomized controlled trial, that home-based resistance exercise training and gym-based resistance exercise training both reduce HbA1c levels in people with type 2 diabetes compared to control. We will also investigate the effects of home- and gym-based resistance exercise training on muscle strength and body composition. Methods The current study is a three-arm randomised controlled trial which will be conducted with 150 eligible people with type 2 diabetes to compare home-and gym-based resistance exercise training with usual care in Kuwait. The interventions will be delivered by exercise specialists and last for 32 weeks. The primary outcomes are HbA1c with secondary outcomes measuring muscle function, body composition, physical activity and quality of life. Discussion Ethical approval has been granted by the Dasman Diabetes Institute ethical review committee (RA/197/2019). Study findings will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences and in scientific journals. Trial registration NCT04136730: Retrospectively registered on 21 October 2019