Calves are one of the most notoriously stubborn muscle groups for weight lifters. They just don't seem to ever grow! So you're definitely not alone in the struggle to grow bigger and stronger calf muscles.

Developed calves not only look great, but they can help you become a better athlete. People with strong calf muscles are less injury prone and their dynamic strength is remarkably improved.

This article will cover all there is to know about developing strong calf muscles, and a few calf exercises that you can add to your next leg day.

There are actually two separate muscles that make up what we refer to when talking about the 'calf muscle': the gastrocnemius and the soleus.

The gastrocnemius muscle is the bulkier of the two, and the muscle that makes your calf look round and well-defined. This muscle helps you do things like standing on your toes, walking, running and jumping.

The soleus muscle is the smaller of the two and sits underneath the gastrocnemius. It starts from your tibia and fibula, eventually joining with the gastrocnemius to become your Achilles tendon. The soleus plays a similar role to the gastrocnemius, helping you to stand on your toes, walk, run and jump.

Most people ignore calves at the gym, which is totally understandable. There are so many other muscles to think about. But what if we told you that regularly practicing calf raises and other calf exercises can have a ton of benefits that you wouldn't have guessed.

Big, strong calves look great aesthetically, but they also reduce your risk of injury. Simply put, strong muscles are less susceptible to injury than weak muscles.

Well-rounded calves also make you a better athlete. Your calves are what help you generate force from the floor, which helps with running, jumping, changing direction and even swimming.

The big question - how many calf raises should I do? It's important to realise that you shouldn't train calves with super heavy weights. Instead, aim for long sets with high reps until until you feel a deep burn. So train using a low or medium weight that you can handle for sets of 10+ reps.

Keep in mind that the ideal number of reps will depend on your fitness. Here is a rough guide to give you an idea of where to start.

How many calf raises should I do?

• Beginner: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

• Intermediate: 3-4 sets of 15-20 reps

• Advanced: 3-4 sets of 20 or more reps

Here are some calf exercises that you can add to routine. You only need 2-3 calf exercises per workout, so feel free to choose the ones that you like best.

The standing calf raise is a favourite for gym-goers. It's easy to learn and requires very little setup. It can be done using a machine or a small, elevated platform.

Stand on an elevated platform so you can use a full range of movement. Aim for a full contraction as you stand on the balls of your feet, and a full stretch of the calf as you come down.

Go for high reps and controlled movements. If this feels too easy, add a dumbbell or kettle bell to increase the difficulty, or just increase the weight if you're using a machine.

Unlike the other exercises mentioned here, the single leg calf raise focuses on one single calf at a time. The benefit of isolating one calf is that the other leg won't take over any part of the movement, and you can evenly develop both calf muscles.

This exercise can be done on a flat surface, an elevated platform or even on a calf raise machine if that makes things easier. Start with whatever variation feels the most comfortable and slowly develop the exercise from there.

Most gyms have a seated calf raise machine, but you can still perform this exercise without one. All you need is a weight plate and a small platform to raise your feet.

Most calf exercises are performed standing up, but movements with your knees bent activate the soleus muscles, which is the smaller of the muscle groups that we mentioned above. So try to incorporate one sitting exercise into your calf routine.

Keep your feet shoulder width apart with your heels hanging, similar to the feet positioning of a standing calf raise.

This is similar to the standard calf raise, but more difficult and taxing on your calf muscles.

Standing on a raised box or step platform will allow for a much greater range of motion, allowing you to really drive the movement into your calves. Aim for a complete movement that uses your whole body weight. You'll feel a deep burn with this exercise.

Balance is important for executing the elevated calf raise. Build up some strength in your calf muscles before attempting this movement.

For a simple variation of the standard calf raise, perform the movement with added weight and your feet flat on the ground.

It doesn't have to necessarily be a dumbbell. Kettlebells are also fine for this exercise. You might personally find this method of calf raises more comfortable, or simply wish to change up your routine with a different variation.

You should ideally have between 2-3 calf exercises in your weekly routine. Aim for high-volume sets and try to incorporate a variety of movements so that your calf muscles can develop evenly. One of your calf exercises should be done with a bent knee to activate the soleus muscles as well.

Calf muscles don't grow overnight. It's important to be patient and perform calf raises with a full range of movement to maximise growth.