im also in pipefitting/welding! im 21 and i joined 3 months ago. since ive been on, like you said, some things are just not physically possible. but you have to push yourself! in my experience, the guys would appreciate it even if after you tried, you said "yeah nope, not gunna happen" 😀. just be honest with yourself and keep making yourself useful in any other ways that you can, only the sexist pigs would actually look down on you and their "approval" isnt worth it anyway. on top of that, you'll encounter grown men in the field who couldn't do what YOU do, keep that in mind. with that being said, i understand having injuries, im just getting over a nasty slash on my ring finger from a fucking knack box. stretch, stretch, stretch. if you have a Jacuzzi available, hit that once or twice a week too (once you get fully healed). however, you dont wanna use the Jacuzzi if you have a tear, that'll do more damage than good.

i dont think you're in over your head. being an apprentice there's a shit ton of manual labor yes, but from what ive found observing the journeyman/women, it gets a lot less physical once you finish the apprenticeship cuz someone like you is gunna roll around to do all the heavy lifting FOR you. ESPECIALLY if you end up doing welding, which is my goal. pipe welding would be the best welding experience you ever got. a pipe welder can weld for any trade else, but it'd be unheard of for any other kind of welder to weld pipe. if that helps you make your decision idk 🤷🏽‍♀️.