I'm assuming it's not a good sign if my vocal cords are already starting to feel a bit tight doing the basic warmup exercises. I'm untrained but surely my voice isn't THAT weak. I must be doing something wrong. This isn't the first time I've tried to train my voice and got discouraged by the warmups either.

Hi, Tyler! It's certainly not uncommon to encounter some tightness/tension as a beginner, since you're learning new coordinations and developing a sense of your current comfort zone & limits. 

Please consider going through the following lesson series for some helpful instruction, and you might also want to submit a video for feedback so that Abram or I can see and hear what's going on. Thank you!

https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/removing-vocal-strain/1

https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/building-vocals-after-strain-or-injury/1