Christopher Key

Christopher Key (born c. 1973) is a political activist and former fitness professional.

Key graduated from Fultondale High School and studied kinesiology and exercise physiology at the University of Alabama.

Key was the owner of Steel City Fitness and a former partner in S.W.A.T.S. Fitness and Performance (an acronym for 'Sports with Alternatives to Steroids") with offices adjoining his gym at 222 Pineywood Road, facing American Veterans Boulevard (U.S. Highway 31) in Fultondale, near the Gardendale city limit. That business marketed unproven products for performance enhancement to college and professional athletes.

In the days preceding the 2012 BCS National Championship game in New Orleans, Louisiana, Key hosted a gathering of several members of 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team at his room in the New Orleans Marriott. He informed the players that their performance would be negatively affected by cell-phone frequencies in the Superdome unless they were "protected" with holographic stickers on each wrist. He also pitched jugs of "negatively charged water", an unidentified powder which he claimed could build muscle mass, an oscillating lamp which he claimed could kill the swine flu virus, and a liquid and pills made from deer antler velvet which he claimed contained IGF-1 hormone, a substance already under an NCAA ban.

S.W.A.T.S. was the subject of a lawsuit under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. After a preliminary hearing on September 5, Judge Caryll Privett issued a restraining order against the business, which was raided by the Jefferson County Attorney General and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and its assets turned over to a court-appointed receiver.

References

• "The zany story of two self ordained sports science entrepreneurs." (January 28, 2013) Sports Illustrated'