For most folks, the calf routine
in HIE is sufficient, but since you're inquiring as an advanced
bodybuilder, here's a few tips for spurring calf development
when progress has stalled. First, I recommend against training
calves every day. The fact that you walk every day using your
calves isn’t relevant to optimal weight training frequency.
Partials –
When doing calf extensions, you may have noticed a sticking
point halfway up the range of motion. This prevents you from
fatiguing the muscle through the full range of motion – you get
stuck at a point even though if you could get past that point
you could complete the repetition. Try this. Perform as many full range reps as possible. Then
reduce the weight and perform as many reps as possible from the
lowest position to the midpoint, then rest for a ten-count, then
perform as many reps as possible from the midpoint up. This
constitutes one set. For the second set repeat, switching the
sequence of the partial reps (after decreasing weight after
performing full range reps, perform reps to failure from the
midpoint up, rest for 10 seconds, then from lowpoint to
midpoint).
One-legged extensions with
negative accentuation – Negative training is more important when
training calves than any other muscle because they are used
continually for daily activities, as you point-out in your
letter. Perform singled-legged calf extensions to failure, then
use the other leg to lift the working leg to the top position,
release the assisting leg and resist the lowering of the weight.
Perform negatives in this manner, then switch legs and repeat.