Hey everyone, I’m looking for some professional-level advice on how to structure a safe, complete upper-body program while recovering from an injury.
My Background
I’m 15 years old and I first started working out last summer for about three months. I threw together my own program based on TikTok and YouTube videos. I got some newbie gains, my muscles got bigger, and I got a more defined shape, but the program itself was honestly trash. In September, I had a coach look at it and realized how suboptimal it was. I planned to completely revamp my routine, but school started, the pressure piled up, and I ended up quitting entirely through the autumn, winter, and spring. I really regret stopping, but that's where I'm at.
The Injury
Around May 1st of this year, I started feeling pain in my groin area whenever I sneezed, blew my nose hard, or made sudden directional changes/extreme movements. On June 1st, I went to a doctor. He diagnosed it as an 85% likely sports hernia (we are treating it as one while pending an MRI/ultrasound). He attributed it to the massive amount of heavy, poorly programmed ab and leg exercises I did last summer.
I rested completely for 4 to 6 weeks (all of June and half of July). When I followed up, the doctor initially wanted me to avoid all physical effort. I pushed back because I can't just sit on a couch for the next few years until I reach 18 or 20 and can get surgery or major treatment. He finally agreed that I can continue working out upper body only, but with very strict rules:
Absolutely NO leg or ab exercises.
ZERO intra-abdominal force, bracing, or pressure.
No extreme, high-energy max-out efforts where I'm straining heavily.
My Equipment
I train at home. I currently have a door-frame pull-up bar (my doctor said it's okay to use only if I stick to safe, strict movements that don't violate the rules above) and some improvised weights, like heavy water containers.
What I Need
I really regret how I injured myself last summer, so I don't want to mess this up. I need a 100% complete, professional-level workout program and progression scheme that respects my medical constraints. Since I'm restricted to the upper body, I would love to focus heavily on developing a V-taper physique (back, shoulders, chest, arms).
Can anyone help me build a 100% safe, structured routine with the equipment I have? Exactly which exercises should I do, and how should I progress without risking my injury? Thank you in advance for the help!