What's the solution? Low-impact workouts.
There are a variety of options available to suit your fancy.
Elliptical Machine
The most common low-impact option available at gyms is the elliptical machine. Usually there is a small fleet of these somewhere in the gym. It's easy on the knees and you avoid pounding the pavement that running on the treadmill incurs.
Cycling
Closely related to the elliptical machine, cycling is a great way to get your heart pumping without shattering your knees. Whether you hit the open road or cycle on a stationary bike the sweat will flow.
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I've tried swimming before. It's not my personal favorite for a couple reasons:
It's not always readily available - gyms don't always offer a pool and when they do space is limited. There are typically hardcore swimmers that love to hit the water at ridiculously early times like 4 a.m. Just go in the afternoon you say...NO. That's when all the rascals get let out of school and the pool area is infiltrated with 4th graders in swimming caps. If a lane happens to open up you end up getting lapped mercilessly by children. Sigh.
This point is also petty, but I don't like the feeling of being completely soaked and trying to dry off before getting dressed for work. Clothing always sticks to your skin and you're never completely dry when you get dressed. It's probably just me, but I dislike this.
If you can live with these two inconveniences swimming is exhausting and protects your knees.
Rowing
With the advent of Crossfit the rower has catapulted to fitness fame. Very fit and very cool people are doing this - usually after doing burpees for five miles, preceded by wall ball, and power cleaning a small child. At any rate, I find this to be a fun and dynamic change of pace from the more common elliptical or cycling day.
There you have it, four awesome, low-impact options to safeguard your knees.
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