How do you become a personal fitness trainer?

[babytobiasduesoon<3]

i would like to be a personal fitness trainer but dont even know the first steps to become one. i know the community college by me offers a personal trainer certificate, but i also saw online that websites offer books and an exam. which would be better? i would think taking actual classes in school would be better but i dont know.
please help, and give me some advice.