Straps for balance, full focus on the calf squeeze.
Use the straps only for balance, let your calves do the lifting through a full range.
Holding the handles takes balance out of the equation, which is exactly what calf training needs, freedom to drop the heels into a deep stretch and rise all the way onto the toes without wobbling out of the range. The calves do every bit of the lifting through that full arc, from stretched bottom to squeezed top. It belongs in a session because most people cut calf range short to stay balanced, and the light lean into the straps removes that excuse entirely.
The straps hold your balance so you can use the full range, a real stretch at the bottom and a tall squeeze at the top, instead of cutting reps short to stay upright.
Slower than you think. A controlled two or three second lower into the stretch does more for your calves than fast bouncy reps that let the tendon do the work.
Move to one leg at a time, add a pause at both ends of the rep, or raise your rep count. Single-leg raises with the strap for balance are a big jump in difficulty.
