How does one prepare to play a twisted, sex-fueled masochist? By entering the dragon's lair, obviously.

Jamie Dornan takes his character research seriously, and the actor isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. In the upcoming February issue of Elle UK, the "Fifty Shades of Grey" star details how he whipped himself into tip-top Christian Grey shape by visiting a BDSM dungeon.

"I went there, they offered me a beer, and they did… whatever they were into," Dornan says. "I saw a dominant with one of his two submissives."

Ever the studious thespian, Dornan made sure the Master gave him a good show. The Red Room is serious business, and he couldn't be expected to blindly perform with Christian's cool confidence.

"I was like, 'Come on guys, I know I'm not paying for this, but I am expecting a show.' It was an interesting evening," Dornan says. "Then going back to my wife and newborn baby afterwards... I had a long shower before touching either of them."

"Fifty Shades of Grey" hit theaters Valentine's Day, 2015.