Calves are, for me anyway, one of those bodyparts that needs less of a routine than a continual pounding. Very stubborn, indeed. I'll try to make this simple as I change everything up all the time to keep things going. First you have to train them more than once a week. I noticed an immediate jump when I did this. They are tough muscles and can take it. I train them Tues (with shoulders) and Fri (by themselves). What I have found is that a good stretch at the bottom and an exaggerated contraction (a little pause) at the top works best. Reps are between 10-16, or so. and the weight is as heavy as form allows. Usually first half is a straight-leg exercise (i rotate these and do 4-5 sets), the second a seated kind (4-5 sets). The key is always trying to throw a bit more poundage on every week somewhere. The key I've found to doing this is to do a first set with a bit too much weight to handle in such perfect form for about 10 reps -ie. you are setting the nervous system/muscles up for future heavier lifts. After you get this initial set done, take a bit of weight off and set up for two/three good sets of 12 perfect reps of maximum effort, maybe a last one of 15-20 reps. You will find that after a week or two the initial 'too-heavy set' is getting lighter, so you bump that up 5-10 lbs and add same weight to lighter' sets. Bit difficult to explain -sorry - but this staggered method really seems to work for me. Best