Her back limits any further depth beyond parallel, esp on a smith machine.
The reason we use the smith machine is because I can load her legs more than with a bar. She can squat 225 x 8 with the bar vs 385 x 8 on the smith, same depth. What I found was that her legs and glutes grew better using the smith probably because she can handle more weight. At some point we may go back to the bar. With enough work I know I can get her squats up, its a form/balance issue. Currently the goal is to get her legs up as quickly as possible so I went back to the smith.
I use what works best for the individual. Some of my clients use the bar.
W6
The reason we use the smith machine is because I can load her legs more than with a bar. She can squat 225 x 8 with the bar vs 385 x 8 on the smith, same depth. What I found was that her legs and glutes grew better using the smith probably because she can handle more weight. At some point we may go back to the bar. With enough work I know I can get her squats up, its a form/balance issue. Currently the goal is to get her legs up as quickly as possible so I went back to the smith.
I use what works best for the individual. Some of my clients use the bar.
W6