Hack Squat apparatus?

[growlers]

At my gym there is this apparatus labelled the "Hack Squat".

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exer...ame=Hack+Squat

If you click on the video it shows the guy going past parallel (which I know from this forum what you want with regular barbell squats), but then I read in some other links that tell you to only go to just parallel using this apparatus.

Thoughts on using this instead of the barbell and how far past parallel do I go?

Finally,
I want my feet pretty far back, right? i.e. straight line from feet to shoulders if you look at me from the side? Because if you put your feet forward a little it seems easier which means it is probably wrong to do it that way.... I ask because the guy in the video seems to have his feet forward just a bit than "straight line".

[cbloom]

Why?

This is a hack squat :

http://www.straighttothebar.com/2007...ack_squat.html
Straight to the Bar: The Hack Squat

[growlers]

[ QUOTE ]
Why?

This is a hack squat :

http://www.straighttothebar.com/2007...ack_squat.html
Straight to the Bar: The Hack Squat

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, when I was googling the exercise in that video I came across this, I don't know why they call the apparatus that, they just do. It is what it is called on the manufacturer's metal instruction label. That actually why I linked the video so people would know what I was talking about.

[cbloom]

I meant Why as in Why do you want to use that machine instead of a barbell?

[theblackkeys]

i second the opinion to stay away from machines and stick with barbells.

[pr0crast]

The hack squat machine is okay if you are building up to doing real squats (b/c your knees are weak, or you are inflexible, etc). But make it a goal to stick to freeweights ultimately.

You want your feet pretty close to the top edge of the foot panel.

[Rootabager]

I almost did a hack squat today for the first time in years because my calves were so sore I couldnt do anything else. But then I said F it and will just wait till monday to squat.