The only way to build up the gastrocnemius in a natural, aesthetically pleasing way...
Is by using it as it was intended, for either jumping or sprinting.
And this explains why is why all sprinters seem to have such perfectly sculpted calves...
Without even really paying them any attention.
You see, the faster you run...
The greater the force that your lower leg muscles must absorb each time you strike the ground.
In addition, because everything happens faster...
The amount of time you have to absorb that force is shorter as well.
Combine these two factors together...
And the end result is G forces as much as 5x your body weight...
That must be absorbed on a single leg, each time you strike the ground.
Which means, if you weigh 150 lbs, that's a whopping 750 lbs of force from each stride.
And it is this exact type of stress, placed upon your calves on a regular basis...
That will allow your gastrocnemius to grow in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing...
And functional for all types of athletic movements.