There are four levels of intensity, plus the added heat function. While it is hard to describe intensity (a subjective term), If you want a kitty-purring-on-your-back massage, that'd be a 1 on my scale, and this would not be the right massager for you. This massager is best described as "man hands" intensity. The lowest setting is, in my opinion, probably a 4, meaning that the massager is not preoccupied with watching tv while giving you a massage. It's digging in with a purpose, but realizes it's got "man hands" and doesn't want to leave marks. Setting 2 is really a 6, setting 3 is a 9, and setting 4 requires Space Balls terminology (Ludicrous Speed). When I used setting 4 to work one area for five minutes, I was bruised the next day. I don't bruise easily, so I felt compelled to buy my massager a bouquet of flowers.