Sarcopenia is a syndrome commonly found in older people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) and resistance training (RT) on body composition, muscle strength, physical performance and blood biomarkers in older people with sarcopenia. We conducted a 12-week, 3-times-weekly assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial of 27 older people with sarcopenia aged ≥ 65 years. Subjects were randomized into WBVT group (n = 14) and RT group (n = 13). The primary outcome was knee extension strength (KES). Secondary outcomes were body composition [body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI)], muscle strength [handgrip strength (HS)], physical performance [gait speed (GS), 5-time chair stand test (5CST), and short physical performance battery (SPPB)], blood biomarkers (inflammatory factors, hormones, growth factors, and muscle injury biomarker), and quality of life questionnaire [medical outcomes study short-form 36 (SF-36)]. After 12-week intervention, in the WBVT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI, PBF and ASMI), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS, SPPB and 5CST), blood biomarkers [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone, follistatin (FST) and creatine kinase (CK)] and quality of life. In the RT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI and PBF), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS and SPPB), blood biomarkers (growth hormone, FST and CK) and quality of life. Between-group comparisons were only significant for KES (P = 0.007) and the role-physical (RP) dimension of the SF-36 (P = 0.007). WBVT and RT both improved the physical condition of older people with sarcopenia. RT excelled in muscle strength, but WBVT offered an alternative for those with restrictions. WBVT's low risk and flexibility suited diverse conditions, providing a new rehabilitation option for patients with sarcopenia.