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Sean:
Your concern regarding functional exercises is well founded and necessary in any program aimed at developing athletic performance. Transfer of training adaptations to real world performance is absolutely essential. This is done by using a majority of training methods that mimic what the athlete would be doing during practices and especially events. Performing leg extensions on a machine will have very little transfer to a 3-5 second rush, obviously. I believe this is a flaw of the Blitz program as well, but since specificity is not address, I wouldn’t consider athletic development the goal.
Dac is right. No one said you had to do the program and if you’re already performing Olympic lifts, it may not be the best for you anyway. However, he is also right that everyone plateaus, regardless of the program design. A short Blitz cycle (say 3-4 weeks) or adding blitz circuits to your current program may be beneficial for you, if you are interested. IMHO, Blitz can be “one piece of a good overall plan” to further ones athleticism.
Role of Muscles
Stabilizer: “Muscles that surround the joint or body part and contract to fixate or stabilize the area to enable another limb or body segment to exert force and move; known as fixators, they are essential in establishing a relatively firm base for the more distal joints to work from when carrying out movements”. (Floyd & Thompson, Manual of Structural Kinesiology, pg 31)
So, sean, blitz is right you cannot name one stabilizer muscle because any muscle may act in this role. However, the point you are making is absolutely correct.
We can be in disagreement about what a stabilizer is, but the underlying benefit being alluding to is the proprioceptive and kinesthetic feedback received when using free weights. This cannot be achieved nearly as well by using solely machine weights.
As its been clearly stated, free weights can be used with Blitz, but find a “good trainer” to design the program for you. Sean, your remarks are certainly not unfounded, but ensure you do your research. Reference sources if needed. It always helps your cause.
Just my .02
MILON
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