The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension that is occurring in increasing frequency across the global population. Although there is some controversy about its diagnostic criteria, oxidative stress, which is defined as imbalance between the production and inactivation of reactive oxygen species, has a major pathophysiological role in all the components of this disease. We examine the association between the metabolic syndrome and its individual component pathologies, oxidative stress, and exercise. Oxidative stress and consequent inflammation induce insulin resistance, which likely links the various components of this disease. Oxidative stress is emerging as a major underlying mechanism of impaired collateral growth in the metabolic syndrome. It has now been clear for several years that an optimal amount of ROS is absolutely required for cardiovascular disease. We briefly review the role of oxidative stress and exercise as a major component of the metabolic syndrome and then discuss the impact of exercise on these pathophysiological pathways. Included in this paper is the effect of exercise in reducing fat-induced inflammation, blood pressure, and improving muscular metabolism.